Mary Therese Studer

Mary Therese (Willette) Studer, 88, of Mankato, Minnesota, passed away February 26, 2020, at Ecumen Pathstone Crossing in Mankato.

The funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2020, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Lake City, Minnesota, at a later date.  The family prefers memorials be given to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, or Ecumen Pathstone Living. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family.

Mary was born April 17, 1931, to Carlyle and Rosemary (Bach) Willette in Mankato. She was raised on the family farm in Easton, Minnesota, by her father and second mother, Dorothy (Schemmel), following her own mother’s early death. Mary graduated from Good Counsel Academy in 1948. On May 2, 1953, she married Stanley Eugene Studer. Together they raised seven children in Blue Earth and Lake City, eventually settling in Mankato.

Mary worked as a staff development secretary for Immanuel St. Joseph Hospital for more than 20 years, retiring in 1996. She was an active volunteer with the School Sisters of Notre Dame, VINE, and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Over the years, she baked hundreds of dozens of Christmas cookies for the Pathstone annual bake sale. Mary was known for her loving care for all people, as a wonderful gift giver, as a prolific list maker, and as one who knew how to stretch every dollar. She enjoyed spending time with family and her best friend, and sister-by-marriage, Sister Madge Studer.

Mary is survived by her children, Marian (Gary) Carpenter of Colorado, Joette (Ron) Gillett of Wisconsin, Neysa (Bruce) Shepley of Oregon, Jennifer (David) Pfeffer of Mankato, Theresa (Rick) Pendley of Arkansas, and Peter (Sandra) Studer of New Jersey; grandchildren, Rachel (Jacob), Abby, Emily (Chase), Blair, Stephanie (Tom), Kevin (Cari), Shawn, Travis (Kathryn), Lucas, Jesse, Nathan, Ryan (Melanie), Alec (Lauren), Michael, and Jordan; 14 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; siblings Nanette Mogensen, Judy (Paul) King, Brian (Linda) Willette, Christine (Jack) Risk, and Steven Willette; and many beloved brothers- and sisters-by-marriage, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley, in 2006; daughter, Susan; grandson, Joseph; infant grandchildren, Blake and Erica; and brothers, Carlyle Jr. and Patrick.