Diane (Mary) Clark (née Frazee) of North Mankato, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home after a three-year battle with kidney cancer on September 28th, 2025.  Mary (aka Nana, Mer, Mom) was born the youngest daughter of four children to Burnetta (Nelson) and Everett Frazee in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, on July 24th, 1944.  She was baptized at Ringsaker Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids.  Mary attended and graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1962. She was active in choir and band, and during the summers she worked at Vacationaire Resort, perfecting the slalom waterski landing (so she didn’t get her hair wet when she had to return to work).  Mary attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a dental hygiene degree in 1964.  Mary worked as a hygienist for twenty-seven years.  Mary and her husband were set up by Kay Clark (her future sister-in-law), who worked at the same dental office.  Mary and Charles (Chuck) married at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis on August 12th, 1967.  

Together, Chuck and Mary had three children:  Angela, Leah, and Andrew, building their legacy of twelve grandchildren. The family moved where the work was and lived in Bloomington, St Cloud, Pelican Rapids, Albert Lea, Monticello, Savage, and Cody (Wyoming). The couple retired to Nevis, Minnesota, after building their dream lake home in 2000.

While raising their family (in between running the kids to camps, marching band, baseball games, the mall, choir, and horse camp), the couple worked on the weekends, finishing the basement of whatever home they were in; that is when the kids knew it was going to be moving time again!  Throughout their adventures, humor, family togetherness, and a strong work ethic were cornerstones. Mary would say some of the best times were with Chuck and their horses on trail rides and camping in Wyoming.  They loved the beauty of the land and the quiet strength of equine living, although Mary was not a fan of ‘cliffy things’ driving in the mountains!  She was also Andy’s loudest cheerleader at baseball games, Angela’s biggest supporter, and Leah’s sounding board.  Mary always had proud moments to share with anyone who would listen, of her kids or her grandkids, and was ever delighted in their accomplishments and activities.    

Mary was known for her sarcasm, her wit, her sense of humor, and her willingness to help not only family but friends. She loved to waterski, fish, snowmobile, and have fun outside.  She was an excellent seamstress (sewing a prom and wedding dress or two in her day) and became an amazing quilter.  She met sew many fantastic quilters along the way who shared her vibrance for life and sisterhood of friends and fabric.  Nana was an amazing baker/cook and always had coffee at the ready, often combined with a crossword or a jigsaw puzzle, or some form of trivia.  She was an avid novel reader and bridge player (often playing stink bids, earning her a skunk award at one time:).  Mary could craft something from an idea in her head.  Chuck and Mary were lifelong golfers, as well.

Nana was always interested in keeping up with what the kids and the grandkids had for goings on and was key to reunions at In We Go Resort in Nevis and at their lakeplace and more recently in North Mankato.  She loved listening to the loons, water wildlife, and going for boat rides and to the casino (especially if she won a few sheckles!).

Mary is survived by her three adult children (Angela, Leah and Andrew); twelve grandchildren (Andre’a, Allysa, Annika, & Alayna (Angela and Jason Bruns of Mankato); Brienna, Shayna, Jenna, Chase & Ethan (Leah and Ryan Klein of Florida); Natalie, Nathan and Nora (Andy and Kristine Clark of Colorado); her two sisters, Kathleen Johnson of Excelsior and Judy Frazee of Arizona, her dear friends Lana and Dick Hansen of northern Minnesota; her bridge buddies Sally, Barb, Leah, and Deb; and last but not least, her beloved miniature schnauzer, Luna; and so many family members and friends she met along her journey.  We will all cherish her quips, stories, recipes, and the helpful life tidbits she imparted. 

In the last few years, she buried her husband Chuck (2018) (they would have been married 58 years), her brother Punch (2016) (who had an infectious laugh and always brought food to share), and her mom, Burnetta (Kathleen) (2021) (a renowned knitter who lived to 103 ½!).  Mary was the primary caregiver for each of them and a fierce advocate for their care.  Mary was also preceded in death by her dad (Everett) and her brother-in-law Bob, and sister-in-law Kay Clark, and her brother-in-law James Johnson.

The family is deeply grateful for the services provided by Mayo Waseca TCU, Freedom Home Care (Zee), and Moments Hospice of Mankato, Pastor Jay Dahlvang of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, as well as many kind neighbors and friends in the community.

A Celebration of Life (Mom wants people to gather, tell stories, laugh, and share memories… not cry, but if you do, that is perfectly ok) will be held on November 8th, 2025, at Floyd Roberts Pavilion (100 Amos Owen Lane) at Land of Memories Park in Mankato, Minnesota, from 12pm to 2pm.  Mary always said, “No regrets.  Eat the pie.  Take the nap.  Enjoy something new.  Make the time. Take care of yourself.  Finished is better than perfect.  Do your best.  If it isn't therapeutic, do something that is. Take breaks. Love your family and friends. Work hard. Take the vacation.  You won’t regret it.”   Nana is an inspiration of humility, a humble and hardworking human who had to take her final nap too soon.  We all miss her dearly.  Enjoy your reunion with Dad in heaven, Mom, as well as with your horse whom you coined ‘Sweetsie pickle’.  Ok, I love you, bye-bye.  Gone from this world but always remembered in our hearts. 

Memorials can be sent to the Family of Mary Clark c/o Angela Bruns 506 Acorn Court .Mankato MN 56001