Our children flourished under Mary’s care. I don’t know what we’ll do without her. She was funny, serious, gentle and firm. She is the reason why my children love band. She created the band at our children’s elementary school. My heart is so sad with this news. We love Mary very much.

We are shocked and saddened. Mary created so much music in our home. Our hearts are broken and we can’t even begin to imagine how much you will miss her. So many people loved and admired Mary. We hope you feel that love as you grieve.

With tears and heavy hearts,
The Olk Miller Family

Mary was a shining star in our community. I did not know her long, but her effect on others was easy to see. She brightened the lives of her students, challenged them, and found opportunities for them to feel successful. She was loving and caring, and I only hope to be half the musician, teacher, and person as she.

Mary was my childhood friend and I am so sad to learn of her recent passing. I hope I can make it to the funeral. My prayers are with her family and friends and her students that loved her so much.

Words cannot express how saddened we were to hear of Mary’s sudden passing. Mary was a gifted teacher and our daughter’s appreciation of music, the clarinet and playing in a school band blossomed under Mary’s direction. Mary had a very quiet way of challenging our daughter and this kept her interested in band and built her confidence as a musician. We will be forever grateful to Mary. We have lost a beloved teacher, but more importantly, a true friend. We will all miss her very much.

I was so saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. She started the music program at the school that I work at and was a wonderful teacher!

Mary was a wonderful friend and colleague. As the musical director for Faith Community Theatre she and I worked together from the beginning and got along so well. She was a gifted musician and someone I truly enjoyed working with and just hanging with. I’m still in a bit of shock over her passing and will miss her terribly.

We are so saddened to hear this news. Mary was our daughter’s first clarinet teacher. It was obvious how much she cared about music and about the students she was sharing music with. Our hearts are very heavy today and we offer our deepest condolences and prayers. The Sohn family (Lauren Shafranski age 11)

My heart broke when I heard the terrible news. Mary was my private lesson teacher and friend. She pushed me and helped me become one of the best clarinetists in my band. She ignited my love for clarinet and music, and I will never forget her.

We are very sad to hear the news of Mary’s passing. She was very patient and inspired our daughter to be a better clarinet player. She will be missed.

Mary was an excellent instructor, talented muician and a wonderful person. She not only inspired my daughter to work hard on her clarinet but also showed her fun ways to give back to the community with her participation in the Empty Bowls event in Hopkins and the community theatre at Fiaith Presbyterian. We will always remember her.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mary’s death. We haven’t been in touch much since I moved to Pennsylvania, but we had such fun times together when we were in the Eden Prairie Community Band. So many laughs on our trip to Austria! Sending prayers for peace, comfort, and healing during this difficult time.

I am greatly saddened by this news. I am a fellow music educator and worked along side of Mary with the Mn Band Directors Association. Mary had a fantastic sense of organization and talent for completing projects. I am grateful for Mary’s influence on music students across our state. I offer my sincere condolences to her family and to those closest to her.

My daughters, Eleanor and Francesca and I had the pleasure of working with Mary during Faith Community Theater’s production of Annie a few years ago. As Miss Hannigan, I was a nervous newbie and she was so patient with me and taught me so much about singing with an orchestra. I know she took great pleasure in seeing my progress from the first rehearsal to opening night. I am so glad I was privileged to have worked with her. Faith theater will miss her terribly as will the many other people who benefited from her great talents over the years. You are our thoughts and prayers and hope you will find comfort in the sharing of special memories with family and friends in the weeks and years ahead. God bless.

My daughters, Eleanor and Francesca and I had the pleasure of working with Mary during Faith Community Theater’s production of Annie a few years ago. As Miss Hannigan, I was a nervous newbie and she was so patient with me and taught me so much about singing with an orchestra. I know she took great pleasure in seeing my progress from the first rehearsal to opening night. I am so glad I was privileged to have worked with her. Faith theater will miss her terribly as will the many other people who benefited from her great talents over the years. You are in our thoughts and prayers and hope you will find comfort in the sharing of special memories with family and friends in the weeks and years ahead. God bless.

The last time I saw Mary was just a couple years ago. I visited MN from California and met all my cousins including Mary for a brewery pub crawl. We started at Town Hall brewery in Minneapolis, then another brew pub near there and ended at Great Waters brewery in downtown St. Paul. Mary wasn’t a big drinker but she was a real sport to come along. My dad and I had a great time visiting with Mary and all

Mary served on the board of the Minnesota Band Directors Association as Audition Chair for many years. We are saddened to hear of her passing and will remember her great service to the Band Directors and Band Students of our State. She will be missed.

I am so shocked and devastated to hear of Mary’s passing. I met her many years ago when I began taking flute lessons from her in midle school. I continued through high school, and we became good friends. As a college student and adult I played with her in the community band and did a few musicals with her. We regularly got together for lunch and hours long chats. She played at my wedding. She was so hilarious and spunky, so smart and strong and fun to be around. She always told it like it was and was so supportive through difficult times. I know so many people and organizations will struggle to go on without her. I just can’t believe she is gone. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones.

I was saddened to hear about Mary’s passing and have since been recounting the years I spent playing flute with Mary in the Eden Prairie Community Band. What a faithful member of the band she was – with such an infectious laugh! It is obvious that Mary has touched many lives and will be missed.

Mary was my flute teacher back in the early 90s, and my daughters flute teacher last year for a short time. I will always remember coming into Bud’s for my lessons, and Mary opening her door with a smile on her face and calling me “Angie-la-ha-ha.” She made lessons fun, but she also made me work hard. She came to just about every band concert I played in, and she came to my performances in church plays. She was always so supportive of her many students. I am shocked and sad that she is gone, but I know she is watching over all of us. I will think of her every time I play my flute.

Michelle: I had the pleasure of meeting your sister just a couple of months ago when she subbed at my school. Even in our short 3 minute meeting it was evident that she was a loving, bright soul. I am so sorry for your loss and will continue to pray for you and your family.

Cheryl (Flesher) Follen

I was devastated to learn of Mary’s passing. She was a comrade as the Eden Prairie Players and Community Band worked together on summer musicals. I will always remember our conversations and am so very grateful that I got to share in her gift of music. I rejoice that she is now playing with the angels! My sincere sympathy to her family and friends.

I and my family were greatly shocked and saddened to learn of Mary’s passing. She was always so calm amid the ever present potential for turmoil in her classes and presided masterfully over concerts. When she left our school, I was very sad. Mary’s gone, but sincerely not forgotten.

Mary started the band at my son’s elementary school. At that time, the school was just starting up and couldn’t offer many of the programs that larger, more established schools could. She gave those kids the gift of music. My son still plays in band and we were both so saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. She passed on her love of music and changed the lives of so many kids.