Mary Deters

Mary Jane (Brooks) Deters, a loving and devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, age 72 of Little Falls, formerly of Sauk Centre, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at the Little Falls Care Center in Little Falls, Minnesota, with her family by her side.

A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 24 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre with a service being held at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mary was born on March 23, 1946 in Long Prairie, Minnesota to the late Harold and Rosalia “Rose” Brooks.  As a small child, she lived in Round Prairie.  She then moved with her family to South Dakota and eventually to the Grand Meadow, Iowa area.  Mary attended grade school at Grand Meadow and high school at Marcus Community High School, graduating in 1964.

Mary moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota shortly after graduation to attend the Minnesota School of Business.  While attending school, she worked part time at First National Bank.  In 1966, she moved back to Marcus, Iowa and found employment at Western Cherokee Mutual Insurance.  She also found time to spend with her nephew and niece whom they would refer to Mary as “Aunt Murn.”

She also lived in Little Sauk with her aunt.  She became employed at Independent Bankers in Sauk Centre and moved there in 1971.  While working at Independent Bankers, she also worked at the Airway Supper Club and the Red Carpet as a waitress.  While working at one of her second jobs, she also found employment at HEI incorporated.  Her final job was a job that truly showed Mary’s love, kindness, and compassion for others and that was caring for the mentally handicap at Koelln Homes.  This job meant everything to Mary.

Mary met her husband, James Deters and was married on October 26, 1973.  The couple later divorced but Mary was blessed with three wonderful daughters who meant the world to her.  Mary is going to be remembered as “Big Momma” as she would dress up in a silly costume for family get-togethers.  She will also be remembered for telling you something was "ugly," that meant that she liked it and wanted it.  That was discovered on a shopping trip with her friend when she was shown something. Mary said it was ugly and her friend put it back on the rack, only later to find in back in Mary’s cart!

Mary is survived by her children, Lori Rodeski (Tony Eley) of Little Falls, Donna (Dan) Geisenhof of Little Falls, and Shelly Witt of Osakis; former husband, James Deters of Sauk Centre; grandchildren, Michael, Alexis, and Jerrald Witt, Dominick Geisenhof, and Mackenzie and Tyler Rodeski; adopted granddaughter, Jenna Shaffer; sister, Bonnie (Fred) Wilkens of Marcus, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Michael Brooks, Sr.; and aunts and uncles.

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.  Mary has become a treasure to all who were fortunate to have known her and have her in their life.