Mary Louise Detlefsen, 77, passed away December 26, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, IN. She was born November 12, 1946, in Fort Wayne, IN, the daughter of the late Richard O. and Erma M. Bade. Mary graduated from South Side High School in 1964 and earned her Bachelors in Education from St. Francis College.
She was a 1st grade teacher at Indian Village Elementary School for 20 years. Whenever she would meet new people she would ask them what elementary school they went to.
Mary attended Southwest Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. She had the kindest heart and beautiful smile. She loved watching Sponge Bob with her granddaughter, playing games and Outlander. She was beloved by her family dearly.
She is survived by her husband Clifford T. Detlefsen of Fort Wayne, IN; sons, Richard “Rick” (Andrea) Detlefsen of Warsaw, IN; Eric (Leanne) Detlefsen of Washington State; sister Martha (Nick) Starnes of Fort Wayne, IN; and a granddaughter, Kenli Detlefsen of Warsaw.
Funeral service will be 1:30 pm Friday January 5, 2024, at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home 8325 Covington Road Fort Wayne, IN, with visitation 2 hours prior. Burial at Concordia Gardens Cemetery immediately following service. Memorials may be made to the Reading Recovery Council of North America.
