Mary Boller Heie

She battled stage four pancreatic cancer for 11 months. For five weeks, she was in hospice care, and then her children, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren took care of her for nearly three weeks at her home. She was 77 years old.

Mary was born September 25, 1942 to Robert Boller and Ethel Boller (Curry) in San Diego, CA. She was the eldest of eight children and lived most of her childhood in Minnesota. In 1960, she graduated from Lourdes High School in Rochester, MN. She graduated from College of St. Teresa’s in Winona, MN, with a Bachelor’s Degree in French. Soon after, she moved to Barrington, IL to start her career teaching French.

Mary had a variety of professional work experience over the years. She taught French for several years, including as a substitute teacher when her children were young. As she would say, there was no maternity leave so you had to quit—she was a champion for many professional women over the years. She got a certificate in International Business from the Anoka Technical College, then worked at Honeywell. Eventually she ended up teaching and directing that program at the Anoka Technical College for about 19 years. During that time she received her Master’s Degree from St. Thomas University in Business with a special International Business focus. In the early nineties, she received her import/export broker’s license. In 1995, she moved back into the industry working at Rosemount as an Import/Export Compliance Specialist. She spent the last decade of her career at Tennant as an Import/Export Compliance Broker.

Throughout her lifetime, Mary received many accolades and awards for various academic achievements. She served on many boards including the Anoka County Master Gardener’s Association. She did numerous talks over the years for various organizations and was a valued mentor to many.

In 1965, Mary married Thomas A. Heie, and together they had four kids: Gerard, Jacqui, Jon, and Margi. Gerard died in 1968 at 22 months old. They were married 32 years.

Mary had many passions and interests in her life. Throughout her life, she was an expert seamstress making clothes for herself, her siblings, her children, and her grandchildren. She also made many bridesmaid dresses, bridal gowns, and prom dresses. This later parlayed into a passion and expertise in quilting, making several beautiful quilts, runners, and placemats.

Nature and gardening was another one of Mary’s passions. She spent most of her life in a garden and after retirement became a Master Gardener through the University of Minnesota Extension Services. She created beautiful, elaborate gardens in her old house in Anoka before moving to her townhouse downtown Anoka. Through her gardening, she was able to continue her passion for mentoring and lifelong learning. She was also a member of a few book clubs, was a sharp bridge player, and part a group that call themselves Meditation Grandmas.

Mary was always very involved in the community and life, whether she was part of a group, traveling the world with friends or family. Mary also had a great love for her family. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart. She enjoyed hearing about their activities, and attending as many events and competitions as she could. She was also an expert Chocolate M&M Cake baker that became an important birthday family tradition starting in the early 1980s.

Mary is survived by her daughter Jacqueline Heie of Minneapolis, MN; her son Jonathan (Wendy) Heie of Brooklyn Park, MN; and her daughter Marguerite Heie of Minneapolis, MN; her siblings, Patricia (John) Woyczik, John (Darleene), Yvonne Nelson, Chuck (Janet), Mark (Gail), and Steve (Sheri); grandchildren, Madeline, Jacob, Devin, Freya; former spouse Thomas Heie; sisters-in-law Janet (Jim) Thole, and Darlene (Steve) Joecks, and Jackie Boller.

Mary is preceded in death by her son, Gerard; parents, Ethel and Robert; brother, Gerald “Jerry”, and her brother-in-laws George Nelson and Dennis Heie.

Wake will be held on June 22, 2020 at 4:00 PM at Gearhart Anoka Funeral Home, 552 East River Road, Anoka, Minnesota. Visitation will be held on June 23, 2020 at 10:00 AM at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 525 Jackson Street, Anoka, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, 525 Jackson Street, Anoka, Minnesota. Interment will be held on June 23, 2020 at 12:30 PM at Calvary Cemetery, 991 West Main Street, Anoka, Minnesota.

The Funeral will be open to the public.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated at Stepping Stones or St. Stephen's Catholic Church. You will find their information below.