Obituary of Mary Joyce Vogel

Mary J. (Nicol) Vogel, 86, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2021 at the N. C. Little Hospice House in Edina.

She was born December 20, 1934 in Minneapolis, MN to Malcolm and Lillian Nicol. Mary graduated from Minnehaha Academy where she made lifelong friends, then graduated from the University of Minnesota. Her life work was as a loving mother and caring teacher, with the majority of career spent in the Mound-Westonka School district. Politically involved, she volunteered for the MN DFL party and did her best to make our community a better place. Mary also volunteered as an usher at the Guthrie Theater for over twenty years. She remained physically active throughout her life, climbing mountains, riding bikes, water skiing and cross-country skiing. She loved swimming in her youth and in her later years she cherished her time in various hiking groups and the camaraderie in her beloved Silver Sneakers. Her grandchildren lovingly nicknamed her Mo-Mary, as she was constantly in motion.

Mary’s greatest achievements were as a kind caring mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She loved her family fiercely, and they, in turn, loved her even more. She was always there to patiently listen and guide, attending graduations, sporting events, helping her children and grandchildren learn to read and appreciate the beauty in all things. She loved her family unconditionally. The grandkids loved “junk food Fridays” with Grandma, and as they grew and moved away, they made sure to keep in touch and visit with her when they returned to town.

Preceded in death by her parents, brother Earl Nicol, and sister Lois Beadles, she is survived by sons Greg (Barb) Vogel of Inver Grove Heights; Joseph (Mimi) Vogel of Huntington Beach, CA; daughters Dawn Vogel of St. Paul, MN, Jill (Louis) Close of Wayzata, MN and Kim (Andy) Dahlgren of Shanghai China; and grandchildren Natalie and Nick Evangelist, Jeremy and Jasmine Vogel, Caroline, Marielle and Sydney Close, and Kylie and Jack Dahlgren. She will be missed dearly.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Park Nicollet as well as the staff at N.C. Little Hospice House. Private family funeral to be held. Memorials preferred to the Guthrie Theater.