Mary Claudette Korbel quietly and peacefully left us to go dancing with her husband, Arthur Korbel, Jr., on Monday, March 31, 2026. She was 91 years old and lived with her daughters in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
She told us not to expect her to look in on us right away, because she has people to see when she gets to heaven. She has so missed her mother, Ella Margaretha Albertina and her father, Edward Anton Kasak. She is kissing her grandbaby, Alex Korbel, and her great-grandbaby, Zara Stubbs. She is hugging her sisters, Ruth and Trudy, and her brothers, Cliff and Bobby, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
She leaves a family deeply grateful for her love: her children Kimberly Korbel; Kelle Korbel; Kirk and Traci Korbel; Kip and Velma Korbel; Kenneth Korbel and Elisa Palladino; Kara Korbel Chinula; and Katrice McQueen. She delighted in each of her grandchildren and their spouses: Andrea Korbel and Marcus Stubbs; Rachel and Ryan Hickock; Sarah Korbel and Aron Nelson; Tess Tibbs; and Alese Tibbs. She especially doted on her great-grandchildren Zoey and Zander Stubbs; Sam, Kirsten, and Lucas Hickock; Averie Tibbs; and Atianna McQueen.
Mary was happiest raising her family in Blaine, Minnesota, surrounded by friends who were the village that helped raise one another’s children. Art supported her “project” when she became a foster mother—more than 56 babies became temporary Korbels before moving on to their forever families. Her proudest non-family accomplishment was being called to serve as a Bethel Bible teacher; after two years of college-level training, she taught with humor and grace. Later in life, Mary became a licensed practical nurse, and even in her 90s proudly proclaimed herself a nurse.
Join us to celebrate Mary's life – she insists NO BLACK - on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids. Visitation begins at 12:30 pm, Service at 1 pm, and Interment will take place at 2:30 pm at Morningside Memorial Gardens, 11800 University Ave NW, Coon Rapids. Reception will be held immediately following burial at Bunker Hills Event Center,
12800 Bunker Prairie Rd NW, Coon Rapids, MN.
Mary’s joy, faith, and generous love live on in all who were blessed to know her. In lieu of flowers, Mary would love to have you contribute to one of her favorite charities:
St. Labre Indian School : https://tinyurl.com/Give-StLabre
Mercy Ships : https://tinyurl.com/DonateToMercyShips
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital : https://tinyurl.com/StJudeResearchHospitalDonation
