Mary Van Ryn

Mary M. Van Ryn, age 79 of Faribault, MN passed away on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the Milestone Senior Living in Faribault following an extended illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault with the Rev. Kevin Kenney, officiating. Interment will be held at the Maple Lawn Cemetery, Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the new location of Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory, 1725 Lyndale Ave. N., Faribault on Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday for one hour prior to services.

Mary Margaret, the daughter of George and Margaret (Molloy) Novotny, was born on March 11, 1939 in Faribault. She attended Bethlehem Academy High School and graduated with the class of 1957. After high school Mary began working at the S & L Department Store and later was a Librarian at Carleton College in Northfield. She returned to Faribault and worked at the Faribault Woolen Mill and later moved to Divine Mercy Catholic School working as an aide and was affectionately known as Miss Mary to all students. On May 5, 1973 she was united in marriage to William "Duffer" Van Ryn in Morristown, MN. Mary enjoyed playing softball, league bowling, playing bingo and going to watch her sons and her grandchildren at their ball games. In retirement she enjoyed their trips to Arizona and spending time at the pool with her friends.

She is survived by her husband, William "Duffer" Van Ryn of Faribault; by two sons, George Van Ryn and Jeff (Katie) Van Ryn, both of Faribault; by seven grandchildren, Chloe, Will, Cain and Abby Van Ryn, Taya Sexton and Max and Naomi Maas; by her siblings, Robert (Cherie) Novotny and Jim (Linda) Novotny, both of Faribault and Kathy (Jim) Walsh of Lakeville, MN and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Patricia Novotny and brother, Tom Novotny.