Mary Ann Petran

Mary Ann Petran was born May 16, 1929, in Chicago to Thomas and Elizabeth Curtis and passed away February 23. 2025. Her mother passed away when Mary Ann was 13, but despite this hardship, she graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1947 before enrolling at Nashville’s Ward Belmont (a girls’ “finishing” school, Mary Ann would say with a smile). She then attended Iowa State, joined Alpha Delta Pi, and graduated in 1951 with a degree in Home Economics Institutional Management.

It was while Mary Ann was the assistant manager of Iowa State’s student union cafeteria that she met Don Petran who was earning a degree in agricultural engineering. They married November 1, 1952, and spent their first married years living at Petran Farms east of Hayward. As their family grew, the couple moved into Albert Lea and raised their three children, Richard, Nancy, and John. All came to love outdoor adventures–from water skiing and skating on Fountain Lake, to exploring the Boundary Waters and snow skiing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado and Montana. It wasn’t unusual for 3-4 close families to tag along, and these outings became joy-filled adventures for everyone involved.

With an interest in other cultures, Mary Ann and Don enjoyed hosting foreign students–first students of agriculture from Sweden and Germany, and then Rotary exchange students from Brazil, Romania, Germany and Sarajevo. The first of these students, Yukiki Kono from Japan, became a life-long friend, and Petrans were able to meet Yukiki’s family when she brought them to Albert Lea several times.

In addition to welcoming foreign students into their home, Mary Ann and Don immersed themselves in other cultures as avid global travelers. They enjoyed many winter trips to Mexico (staying in city centers to experience markets and authentic lifestyle) and explored Europe, Russia, China, the Far East, South America, and Alaska. 

While Don ran Petran Farms, Mary Ann held down the fort at home. She was an avid reader and a thoughtful listener and conversationalist. An incredible cook and hostess, Mary Ann was always eager to add another chair to the table as she effortlessly made guests feel at home. She exuded warmth and was one of a group of older women who aged with grace, humor, and a delight in the shenanigans of the younger set and even of themselves. They knew the importance of doing things the “right way.”

Mary Ann found joy in her children, grandchildren, and their families. She was curious about what was “new” in the world and in the lives of her loved ones. A devoted knitter, Mary Ann taught herself how to knit left-handed so she could teach her left-handed granddaughter the skill.

Enjoying membership in PEO and WIG (Women’s Investment Group), Mary Ann also volunteered at the library bookstore and Girl Scouts and worked at Four Seasons Travel.

Mary Ann leaves Don, her husband of 72 years, and children Richard and John, grandchildren James (Gretchen) Petran and Elizabeth “Betsy” (Colin) Sullivan, and great-granddaughters Selene, Eleanor, and Julia. Mary Ann was preceded in death by daughter Nancy and sister Alice Dudley.

In keeping with Mary Ann’s wishes, cremation will take place with a private family service to follow at a later date. Memorials preferred to St. Croix Hospice. 

We will miss Mary Ann’s laugh, her wit, her “can-do” spirit.