Mary Barstad

***Public Celebration of Life scheduled for this Saturday, March 21, 2020 has been CANCELLED.

Arrangements are being made to record a Celebration of Life service that will be posted on a private Youtube page. Please send your contact information (name and email address) to [email protected] if you wish to receive notice of the posting. ***

Ms. Barstad, 75, of Fridley, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Mercy Hospital- Coon Rapids, after a short battle with cancer. Mary was born in Duluth, to Inge and Stanley Barstad.

She graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1962, graduated in 1967 from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus with a BA. A licensed social worker, Mary served in the Relief Depart for the City of Minneapolis; and for Hennepin County Child Protective and for the Developmental Disability Services. She retired in 1999, as Manager of the Developmental Disabilities Division and honored with the Chuck M. Sprafka Employee Recognition Award in that year.

Mary is survived by dear friend Marilyn Maloney; sister Peggy Anderson of Texas; many nieces and nephews and family members including, Tonia (Greg) Waller, Rachel, and David of Texas, Todd Anderson (Nicole Grimm), Grant and Mae of South Carolina, John Barstad (Laurie Cunningham) of Minnesota, Danielle Barstad, James Bender (PT), Kay and Roger Bender, of Wisconsin, Jackie Bender, Michelle, Phyllis, Scott Maloney (Nancy), Olivia, Jacob, and Natalie, of Minnesota; as well as many other friends and family whom she loved and cared for, and who cared deeply for her. Preceding her in death were John and Donna Barstad of Illinois; and Daniel Maloney and Dennis Anderson of Minnesota

We have fond memories of: Mary’s love of nature, wilderness canoe camping in Quetico Park and of her beloved lake house; of Mary's Swedish holiday treats and birthday cookies; her joy in fostering seven stray kittens who landed in her window well this cold January; and for being the kindest person in the whole wide world.

Memorials to American Cancer Society, Animal Humane Society of Minnesota, or Friends of Quetico Park.

There will be a Celebration of Mary's Life at Lakehouse on Saturday, May 30th.

www.GearhartFuneralHome.com