Noreen A. Hruby

Noreen A. Hruby passed away quietly on March 4, 2025 at her home in Mankato.

Noreen was born in New Prague, MN on January 30, 1949 to Leonard and Bernice Hruby (Kajer) and lived most of her life in Mankato. She was the oldest of seven and leaves behind siblings, Richard (Mary Jo), Margaret (Gary), Barbara (Gary), Anita (Keith), and Stevie and many nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother, Mark preceded her in death.

Since Noreen was born with a mental handicap, she faced many difficulties. She worked many years at the MRCI which employs people with special needs and she was happy to have a place to spend her days and be with people. When not at MRCI she liked spending time with family and had special connections with group home roommates and staff. She really loved bingo, movies and popcorn, eating out, TV game shows especially Price is Right. These simple pleasures made her life enjoyable and for that we are forever grateful. All she ever wanted was to be “normal” and fit in. Something we all take for granted and she did the best with what she had.

I want to thank all who took the time to be kind to Noreen and accept her as is especially her wonderful staff at her group home and also St. Croix Hospice. Noreen left this earth leaving behind many lessons for us all. Noreen now it’s time to go play some bingo with Bob Barker and win that trip to Hawaii.

A private memorial will be held in Mankato.

“When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.''