On Monday evening, December 28, 2015 at Emerald Assisted Living in Shakopee, Mary Ann Friendshuh, 92, joined Claud in eternal peace. Mary Ann’s dedication in life was to her faith in God and beloved family, as a wife, mother and grandma to three generation of grandchildren.

All of Mary Ann’s services will be held at The Parish of St. Joachim and Anne (Marystown) 15850 Marystown Road, Shakopee. On Sunday, January 3, a visitation will be held from 3-7 pm and on Monday, January 4 from 9-10:45 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial held at 11 am. Pastor Erik Lundgren will preside. Pallbearers will be her sons: Ken, Jerry, Jim, Bob, Larry, Ernie, Don, Ray, Paul and representing Joe are his sons, Josh and Jesse. Mary Ann will be laid to rest at a private family burial at St. Mary’s of Marystown Catholic Cemetery.

The oldest of five children, Mary Ann was born on October 5, 1923, in Minneapolis, MN to parents Rueben and Ann (Albrecht) Christian. Growing up during the depression years, you looked for ways to survive. At her Father’s side, Mary Ann loved to explore the country roads hunting pheasants, she was proud to find the game. An excellent student, she took her education serious and had impeccable penmanship that she worked hard to teach her children. Mary Ann attended Holy Angels Catholic School and later graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1941.

Mary Ann’s life was changed forever when an older classmate, by the name of Claud Friendshuh swept her off her feet. They started courting and were united in Holy Matrimony on September 22, 1943 at Assumption Catholic Church in Bloomington. For the next 62+ years, Mary Ann and Claud committed their lives to raising their children with a committed faith, strong work ethic and love for family. Early on in their marriage, they liked dancing and exploring the fun side of life. As time went on, Mary Ann and Claud still enjoyed date night and playing cards and cribbage with family and friends.

One of the greatest passions in Mary Ann’s life was being an amazing, warm, strong and caring mother to her 16 children and any one of their friends that they happened to bring home. Her home was always filled with activity and sounds from the grandchildren wondering what they could do at the farm that day, what Grandma baked special for them, should we play on the climbing tree or the tree swings and most important…what kind of cookies were in the cookie jar. Mary Ann’s days were filled with completing laundry with a wringer washer and hanging it on the line to dry, countless hours tending to the vegetable garden and canning the fruits of her labor, alongside her daughters. Mary Ann’s home was always filled with the smell of fresh bread baking and remarkable cooking. Amazingly someone would inevitably come down the driveway and we ALWAYS had enough food for them to join in. Butchering was a part of life and Dad prided Mom with the honor of perfectly seasoning the pork sausage, of course we had to have several samples (or was it because we just loved to eat it!). Mary Ann’s talents extended to sewing, quilting and crocheting. All of these things provided a well-rounded home for her family.

When the boy’s daily farm chores were completed, Mary Ann enjoyed helping the kids build the first tree house. She loved to fix the girl’s hair and set up puppet stages. Mom had a way to keep us occupied while getting jobs done like picnics while picking berries for jelly, raking to have a wiener/marshmallow roast and just being around each other. In her spare time, Mary Ann appreciated working in her flower gardens, designing and sketching gowns and calling everyone on their special occasions. She enjoyed giving rides in her golf cart, dedication to the Franciscan Retreat House, as Captain, while still keeping care of herself.

It was through Claud’s eyes, that Mary Ann’s faith was deepened in God. She devoted incalculable hours praying the rosary and saying prayers as a family. Mary Ann often quoted, “A family that prays together, stays together.”

Mary Ann will forever remain in the hearts of her beloved children, Gin (Harlen) Freund, Betty Kuhlmann, Ken (Carol) Friendshuh, Jerry Friendshuh, Jim Friendshuh, Joe’s wife (Joan), Bob (Wendy) Friendshuh, Larry (Colleen) Friendshuh, Ernie Friendshuh, Don (Shelly) Friendshuh, Kathy Lindmeyer, Ray Friendshuh, Mary (Jim) Starry, Paul (Tammy) Friendshuh, Elaine Friendshuh, Theresa (Ron) Celander; 45 grandchildren: 74 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; sister, Kathleen Grady: and many other loving relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by husband, Claud: son, Joseph “Joe” Friendshuh; grandson, Nathan Lindmeyer; siblings, Jean (Carmen) Osburne, Shirley (Gene) Haffely and Robert Christian.

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