Mary Joanne Bradley Engebretson, of Mahtomedi went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 5th. She was born in Port Arthur, Thunderbay Dist., Canada on June 4, 1933 to Clifford and Naomi “Amy” Bradley. She grew up as a “child of the woods” in Aitkin, MN. Hers was a solitary childhood as the much younger sibling of two sisters and a brother. The woods and lake were her playground and her dog, Brownie, her constant companion.
She was a life-long learner, avid reader, writer, artist, gardener and entrepreneur. There seemed to be nothing she couldn’t do from hunting and fishing to sewing, knitting, crochet, doll making, wedding cakes, refinish furniture, rewire lamps, and find beauty in all of God’s creation, including bugs and snakes – much to the delight of her grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Myron Engebretson; her sisters Lauretta Whipps and Delma “Naomi” Siers-Gruhlke; her brother Donald Bradley and her parents Clifford and “Amy” Bradley.
She is survived by three daughters Amy Engebretson, Dian Piekarski and Gale Martz; seven grandchildren Laura Hansen Smead, Jonathan Hansen, Sara Blanchard, Lynn Piekarski, Katie Sander, Greg Martz and Patricia Martz; 10 great grand children, Shaelyn and Corbin Smead, Lincoln, London and Lleyton Blanchard, John, Elizabeth, Stephanie and David Sander, Maximus Martz; and her last two cats – Pansy and Mini who have been adopted by family. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, especially Bradley Whipps (Eunice) who was a faithful pen pal and Christian influence and witness until the end.
Mary was a puzzle to many. Fiercely private and independent. Her heart never left the lake and woods of her youth. We will honor her request to be returned there in the Spring.