Mary Ann Pomerenke

Mary Ann Pomerenke, 91, of Lakefield, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Osterberg Funeral Home in Lakefield, and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the church. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Okabena with Pastor Jeff Sage officiating. Burial will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Lakefield.

Mary Ann Pomerenke, daughter of Oscar and Belle (Heggen) Matre, was born on Wednesday, March 23, 1932, in Estherville, Iowa. She was baptized on April 24, 1932, and confirmed in 1947 at the Lutheran Church in Estherville. Mary Ann attended and graduated from Estherville High School. Upon graduation, she attended Augsburg in Minneapolis, and later transferred to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she obtained her teaching degree in elementary education. Mary Ann moved to Worthington where she taught intermediate grades. She met the love of her life Donald Pomerenke at the roller-skating rink in Worthington. They were united in marriage on June 9, 1957, in Estherville, Iowa. Donald and Mary Ann built their life together in rural Okabena, where they raised two children, Peggy and Kevin. Once Kevin started school, Mary Ann began teaching first grade in Heron Lake and Okabena. Although she retired from full-time teaching in the early 2000’s, she continued to substitute when needed. Mary Ann remained living on the homestead upon Donald’s passing in 1972, taking care of the farm management until 1981, when she relocated to Lakefield. In 2020, Mary Ann moved to Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she passed away peacefully at the age of 91 years, 2 months, and 27 days.

Mary Ann was a kind lady with many talents. She was very proud of her Norwegian Heritage and enjoyed her visits to family in Norway. Mary Ann enjoyed spending time with her friends, chauffeuring them all around to the local craft shows, bazaars, flea markets, and the various benefit meals at the churches. She was a wonderful baker and sewer. Mary Ann always had a smile on her face and enjoyed chatting with family and friends. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, former teachers, students, and all who had the pleasure of spending time with her.

Left to cherish Mary Ann’s memories are her children Peggy (Bhrett) Baney and Kevin (Kim) Pomerenke,; grandchildren Emily Baney, Ryan (Kara) Baney, Paige Pomerenke, and Joshua Pomerenke; great-grandchildren Luella and Harrison Baney; brothers and sisters in law: Bonnie Pomerenke, Delbert (Janice) Pomerenke, and Marles (Robert) Lange; many nieces, nephews, and great friends.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents Oscar and Belle, brothers and their wives; Abner and Marion Matre, Selmer and Lois Matre, James and Joyce Matre; brothers and sisters in law Lois and Vernon Behrens, Loren Pomerenke, Eldon Pomerenke, Gerry Pomerenke, Phyllis Pomerenke, LaVonne and Henry Pfeil, Kenneth Pomerenke, and special friend Marv Titus.

Blessed be the memory of Mary Ann Pomerenke.

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