Mary Emma Weidner

Mary Emma (Rockman) Weidner was born on November 27, 1928, to Martin and Stella Rockman in Barron, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of five children, joining her siblings May, John, Martha "Markie", and Bernard. Mary grew up on the family's Guernsey dairy farm, where she was actively involved in H and developed a strong work ethic that stayed with her throughout her life.

Mary was known for her sewing skills. After graduating from Barron High School, she attended Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. Her talent in sewing earned her a two year scholarship to the Vogue School of Design in Chicago, a reflection of both her creativity and dedication.

In the early 1950s, while working at Minneapolis Moline, a co-worker (her future sister-in-law Rosina) arranged a blind date to the Minneapolis Aquatennial Parade with Alvin John Weidner. They were married on October 30, 1954, in Barron, Wisconsin. True to her talent, Mary sewed her own wedding dress as well as all her bridesmaids' dresses.

Mary and Alvin made their home in Osakis, Minnesota, before settling in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. In 1958, they adopted five children who were all siblings: Peter (age 7), Jim (age 6), Bill (age 5), Pat (age 4), and Jean (age 3). Their family continued to grow with the birth of Margaret in 1959, David in 1961, and Bruce in 1964. During this time, Mary worked as a nurse's aide at St. Michaels Hospital in Grand Forks.

In 1973, the family moved to the Park Rapids area, where they became members of St. Mary's Parish. Mary was active in the Martha Club, Argo Homemakers Club, Hubbard County 4-H, the American Legion, and early years of Park Rapids youth hockey. She worked at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids and devoted time to sewing burial shrouds for the Franciscan Order.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, one sister, her husband, Al, her son, Peter, and her daughter, Jean. She is survived by a sister Markie, She is survived by her children: James "Jim" Weidner (Wendy), William "Bill" Weidner, Patricia "Pat" Sillerud (Van), Margaret "Marge" Yliniemi (Dan), David Weidner, and Bruce Weidner (Lauren), 13 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.

Mary passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, February 9, at St. Joseph's Hospital, following a short illness.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 17, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Park Rapid, Minnesota, with visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m., with a reception afterward at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Friends of Itasca and may be made at www.friendsofitasca.org or by mail to Friends of Itasca State Park, 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, MN 56470.