Obituary of Mary Clare Prestrud

Prestrud, Mary Clare (Pierce)

Age 80, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2019 from cardiac failure while in hospice at Our Lady of Peace Home, St. Paul, MN. She was surrounded by family members on the last leg of her journey. Mary Clare was preceeded in death by her parents George T. Pierce, Helen Lyden Pierce and sister Emily Louise Horner.

Mary Clare (MC) is survived by her loving husband Peter (Pete), son Eric Anthony Prestrud (Jennifer), and daughter Peggy Ann Whisler; grandchildren: Anna, William and Timothy Whisler; Jackson and Olivia Prestrud; sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Hagedorn and Kathleen (Casey) Warren; brother-in-laws Bill Prestrud and Bill Warren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was born on August 12, 1938 in St. Paul, MN, graduated from Holy Angels Academy, earning her BS and Masters degrees in Education from the University of Minnesota. She taught for 27 years in the school Districts of New York Mills, St. Louis Park and Forest Lake, Minnesota. She loved her Irish heritage, people and their stories, stimulating conversations (initiated primarily by her), reading (3 book clubs), writing, always "teaching", home decorating, sewing, knitting, quilting and travelling, a person of many talents and interests.

"Mary Clare", "MC", "Cuckoo" (a long story), "Grandma" will be truly missed by family and friends. As one of her close friends said, "Mary Clare left this earth a better place for having been here". MC, being of Irish descent, would often be heard saying, "Now, I'm making most of this story up, but..". Her snow white hair was constantly being admired by passing strangers.

The family wants to thank Teri, Leslie, Adonne and Dr. Jen, the team from Fairview Hospice, for their dedication to making Mary Clare's last 8 months as comfortable as possible.

Visitation Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 10-11 am at Pax Christi Catholic Community Church 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN followed by a celebration of life Mass at 11 am. After Mass lunch will be served in the church lunch room. Private burial at a later date. All memorials preferred to Fairview Home Care & Hospice 2450 South 26th Ave Minneapolis, MN 55406