Mary Riehle

Mary Louise Riehle, age 87, died Sunday, December 24, 2023, at her home in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Mary was born in the middle of the Great Depression in Cassville, Wisconsin to Harry and Anna (Moen) Warner. Her family moved to Granite Falls, MN where she graduated in 1953. She then moved with her family to Bemidji, MN where she took great pride in working at the Bemidji Clinic. She married Vernon Riehle in 1957 and by the time they settled in Detroit Lakes in 1962, they had three children - which soon grew to five. Mary and Vern celebrated 62 anniversaries together.

Gifted at sewing and needlework, Mary sewed alterations for different businesses in Detroit Lakes, including The Girls Next Door, Mr. G’s and Norby’s. She worked at K & G Fabrics and worked for over 20 years at The Marquee Gift Shop. 

Mary loved the house in the country that Vern built for her. She fed the birds, watched the wildlife and filled her landscape with beautiful flowers. Mary loved her network of friends and her church community. She loved sewing and craft shows and Herberger’s. She read voraciously and took special pleasure in a good murder mystery!

Mary loved her 5 children most of all. She appreciated the uniqueness of each and every one of them. She encouraged curiosity in her children and nurtured a love of nature in all of them. She made holidays special, and she made every meal a holiday.

Mary is survived by her children Neil (Charlene Hirst) of Citrus Heights, CA, Eric (Terrin) of Colorado Springs, CO, Darrel of Detroit Lakes, MN, Maren Schuman (David) of Hawley, MN and Mark of Detroit Lakes; grandchildren Kassandra, Shaun, Samuel, Clyde, Dylan and Kaitlyn; two great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. She is also survived by a brother, Carl (Sharon) Warner of Eden Prairie, MN. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Harry and Anna Warner, sisters Betty Jane, Ida, Helen, Lillian, Janice, and brother Vernon. Her dearest sister and friend Harriet passed away in March 2024

Mary will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at Lund Lutheran Church, 25213 County Highway 21, Detroit Lakes on Friday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. with Visitation at 10:00. West-Kjos Funeral Home is serving the Family.