Mary Smuda

Mary Ann (Mrs. Gerald) Smuda, age 69, of Faribault, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, at her home surrounded by her loving family, following an extended illness.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault with the Rev. Erik Lundgren, officiating. Interment will be held at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Faribault.    Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in 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 an organization of the donor's choice.    Mary Ann Gillis, the daughter of John and Ann (David) Gillis, was born on December 29, 1940 in Faribault. She attended Bethlehem Academy High School and graduated with the class of 1960. On January 14, 1961 she was united in marriage to Gerald Walter Smuda at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. After their marriage Mary worked as beautician at Brett's and Elvira Payant Beauty Shops in Mankato. She also worked at S&L Clothing and in 1976 began working at Genova and retired in 2003 after 27 years. Mary loved her family, gardening, decorating, walking her dog, the River Bend Nature Center, traveling and giving to all around her. She worked hard at making the world a better place.    She is survived by her husband of just short of 50 years, Gerald Smuda of Faribault; by their three children, Gerald II (and Lisa) Smuda of Faribault, Thomas (and Tina) Smuda of Hershey, PA and Kimberly (and John) Aube of Faribault; by six grandchildren, Jade Smuda, Justin Aube, Jake Smuda, Kendra Aube, Jared Smuda and Anna Smuda; by two sisters, Bea Conner of Timoniom, MD and Barb (and Allen) Callstrom of Lakeville, MN; by three brothers, John (and Joan) Gillis of Pinehurst, NC, Jerry (and Judy) Gillis of Faribault and David (and Bette) Gillis of Barrington, IL and other relatives and friends.     She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Theresa Dorweiler.    Directions to Divine Mercy Catholic Church (139 Mercy Dr.): http://divinemercycatholics.org/Directions%20to%20new%20church.jpg Since the church location is new and may not be in GPS map systems, please use: 22685 Albers Ave., Faribault