Mary Catherine Engesser

Mary C. Engesser age 72 of Tracy, MN died Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, May 19, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Friday, May 18, 2012 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, with a rosary at 4:00 PM and a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday at 1:00 PM. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Tracy, with a luncheon served in the church social hall immediately following the burial. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Mary Catherine Engesser was born on February 25, 1940 to Harold and Agnes (Kosse) Rolling in Tracy, Minnesota, Lyon County. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Mary attended and graduated from the Tracy public schools in 1958 and entered the religious order of The Sisters of St. Francis in Rochester, MN that summer. Their mission statement, “O Lord make me an instrument of your peace,” led Mary at all times in her life. Because of health reasons, Mary left the religious life which she loved very much. She continued her college education at St. Theresa’s in Winona and Southwest State University in Marshall graduating with a Bachelor degree in Education. On December 28, 1963 she was united in marriage to Merlin Engesser at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. They lived in Kilkenny, MN before moving back to Garvin and then Tracy. Mary taught in the Tracy Public Schools and at St. Mary’s Elementary until she retired in 2009. Mary was active in the Order of St. Francis, CCW, and taught CCD for many years. Mary enjoyed teaching and spreading her faith, fishing, the outdoors, snowmobiling, horses, camping, shopping and making crafts with her grandchildren. Mary will be remembered for her continuous, uplifting spirit and gentle nature. On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Mary passed away at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 72. She is survived by her two children, Mark (Tanya) Engesser of Rose Creek, MN and Margaret (Allen Schultz) Bornitz of Tracy; seven grandchildren, Tracey, Tasha, Mark, Autumn, Chris (Wendy Gleis), Courtney and Carter; four great grandchildren, Oakley, Austin, Alyssa and Riley; one brother, Allan (Darlene) Rolling of Tracy and one sister, Betty (Verle) Bollig of Willmar. Her parents, brother Vincent, and sister in law, Maggie preceded her in death. Blessed be the memory of Mary.