I am so saddened to hear of Mari’s passing. She was a close classmate of mine from Milford high school. Very good memories of her. She is in my thoughts and prayers.

Mary was a friend in Jr High and a playmate to a number of us. I almost kissed her which would have been my first. She and I would chat occasionally via Facebook about Spencer, the Lakes area, and Gillett Grove where her family farmed. Her father was a personality on the local KICD radio speaking of farms and farm stuff. He was also a popular auctioneer. Mary would tag along and enjoyed the boxes of $2 junk that didn’t sell. The land she lived on is just now being recognized as an old Sioux indian village. She knew that. She enjoyed life then and I hope so later in life. Good memories to take with her.

Mary was a friend of mine at a young age <9 , and when the family moved away I had no idea where she went. She is very much missed.

Mary and I were friends during 6th & 7th grades in Spencer, IA. Mary’s family then moved to the Crescent Beach area of West Lake Okoboji. Since my family also had a cottage on Lake O, we hung out together during our Summers. We enjoyed going to Arnold’s Park and riding the Tilta-Whirl plus going in the Fun House. We would swim and just relax at her place or mine. We didn’t see much of each other during our Jr – Sr school years but we did run into eadh other at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA. one New Years Eve in the early 1960s. I am so glad we had a chance to reconnect on Facebook these last few years.I will miss that…Judi Larson Hayes