Mae O'Brien

Mae E. O'Brien, age 88, of Faribault, died suddenly on Monday, December 3, 2012 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive in Faribault, with the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, pastor officiating. Interment will be held at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Belle Plaine, MN at 2:00 p.m.
Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday for one hour prior to services.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to Bethlehem Academy High School or Safe Place for Newborns in memory of Mae.

Mae Elizabeth, the daughter of Rolf G. and Caroline Edna (Wright) Tonneson, was born on December 26, 1923 in Mahnomen, MN. She attended Mahnomen High School and graduated with the class of 1941. After high school Mae attended Moorhead State Teachers College and received her Bachelor's Degree in Education. After graduating from college, she taught English in Breckenridge, MN. On September 26, 1947 she was united in marriage to Eugene "Gene" F. O'Brien at St. Michael's Church in Mahnomen. After their marriage they moved to Belle Plaine, MN and lived there until 1957 when they moved to Faribault, MN. In both of these communities Mae worked as a substitute teacher. Mae was an avid reader and even as her hearing and eyesight deteriorated, she continued to seek knowledge and form principled positions on complex issues. Her years at Moorhead State Teachers College were during World War II. While many men were overseas, Mae was doing her part at home serving as an air raid warden. She later showed her patriotism as an election judge. Mae was also a Citizen of the White Earth Ojibwe Nation, a member of the Minnesota Knights of Columbus Ladies' Auxiliary and for many years helped with funeral lunches at her parish. Her caring and love for her family was unsurpassed. She dedicated her life in caring for others.

Mae is survived by her six children, Mark O'Brien of Faribault, Julie (& Jay) Johnson of Rochester, MN, Jean O'Brien and Timothy Kehoe of Minneapolis, MN, Mary Margaret "Maggie" (& Pete) Palmisano of Eden Prairie, MN, Maureen "Nan" (& John) Wieser of Apple Valley, MN and Michael (& Sue) O'Brien of St. Paul, MN; by four grandsons and five granddaughters; by her brother, John "Jack" ( & Betty) Tonneson of Fridley, MN and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Mae was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Gene.