Obituary of Mary Katherine Vavrosky

Vavrosky, Mary Katherine (Stahmer) passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord in the early morning of September 1, 2015, surrounded by family, after a year long, valiant fight against MDS. Mary was born May 4, 1932, (5432) to Loren G. and Mary E. (Fitzgerald) Stahmer in St. Paul, MN. She graduated from Holy Spirit Grade School and St. Joseph's Academy, class of 1950. Mary was the valedictorian of her graduating class from Children's Hospital School of Children's Nursing. She graduated from Normandale Community College in 1972 with her Associate of Arts Degree, and continued to take classes throughout her lifetime. She met the love of her life, Raymond Vavrosky, at Holy Spirit choir. They fell in love, married and she became a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother. While raising her children, she also provided a home for many foster children, always requesting children with special needs. After retiring from Hennepin County, where she helped many, many people, she started volunteering and never stopped. She was on the board of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, Bloomington Historical Society, and Friends of the Oxboro Library. Her passions were history and genealogy, doing family research along with researching for others. One of the hardest things she had to give up, due to illness, was singing in the St. Bonaventure choir. She was a champion of education, volunteering, not only time but money, to enhance anyone's education. She was preceded in death by husband, Raymond; sister, Anne Davis, brother-in-law, Raymond Kramer; son-in-law, Michael McCrank; infant children Frances and Thomas; and her parents. She is missed and forever loved by Mary Rose (Ted) Kornder, Peggy McCrank, Kitty (Bill) Maynard, Therese Vavrosky, Marty Vavrosky, Charles (Gretchen) Vavrosky, Julie (Steve Halpin) Vavrosky, Patty Halligan. Grandchildren: Sherry (Christopher Kosel) McCrank, Jeremy (Tasha) McCrank, Michelle (Kevin Holst) McCrank, Jamie (Nick Senn) McCrank, Tony (Wendy) Kornder, Nick (Annie) Kornder,Katie (Josh Baker) Kornder, Kristi (Gary Jonson) Kornder, Mike & Jolene Rademacher, Kristofer Vavrosky, Kelton, Kaylin, & Kylie Vavrosky, Zach, Eric & Evan Halpin, Brad (Missy) Theis, Mandy (JB) Randall, Micah (Jeff) Commander. Great grandchildren: Sadie, Kodiak & Lomax Kate McCrank, Aeden Holst, Damon & Danika Rade-macher, Megan, Adriana & Ruben Kornder, Henry & Josie Kornder, Elsie, Gretta & Grace Theis, Declan Randall, Keegan, Prya, Sully, Sophie Commander. Sister, Margaret Kramer, brother, Jerry (Sally) Stahmer, brother-in-law, Wally (Dorothy) Vavrosky, and many beloved nieces, nephews & friends. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Bonaventure Catholic Community, 901 E. 90th St, Bloomington, MN 55420, Friday, September 4, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. with a visitation two hours before. Private burial at a later date. Memorials preferred to St. Joseph's Academy Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 1890 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105; or St. Bonaventure Catholic Community, 901 E. 90th St, Bloomington, MN 55420.