Mary Anne Counter

Mary Anne Counter, age 85, a lifelong resident of Prior Lake, MN, entered eternal life on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Oak Terrace Senior Living in Jordan, MN.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 11 am, with a time of gathering from 9-10:45 am, all at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Mary Anne will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

Mary Anne was born on November 24, 1939, in Minneapolis, MN, and was the second of seven children to Wemer Jr. and Della (Friehl) Weber. She grew up working on her family's farm, alongside her siblings. She loved to tell stories of driving the family work horses, Sneezer and Belle at a young age of 7. In high school, Mary Anne was involved in many school activities including flag swinging, library club, chorus, pep club, cheerleading, and the class play. She graduated from Prior Lake High School in 1958, where she made lifelong friends and enjoyed attending class reunions.

After graduating, Mary Anne accepted a job at Smead Manufacturing in Hastings, MN and worked there for several years. While attending a dance at the Spring Lake Pavillion, she met Richard Cervenka. Her life course was changed and on June 10, 1961, Mary Anne and Dick were married at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake, MN. They were blessed with three children, Richard, Tim and Lisa. Unfortunately, Mary Anne experienced the first major loss in her life, with the unexpected passing of Dick on February 24, 1971.

Following Dick’s passing, Mary Anne devoted herself to raising their three children and found purpose in cooking and serving others. She embarked on a 32-year career in the Prior Lake School system, where she took great joy in seeing the students’ smiling faces each day. Even after retiring, her dedication continued as she served as a substitute for another eight years.

Mary Anne’s spirit of service extended beyond the schools and into her community. She was actively involved in both the Prior Lake and Shakopee VFWs, where she shared her talents in the kitchen at countless events. A proud lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 6208, Mary Anne’s generosity and warmth touched many lives.

Mary Anne’s life was enriched by marrying again. On August 5, 1987, she exchanged vows with George Counter. Together, they loved going to casinos locally and enjoying many road trips to Las Vegas. Mary Anne found herself once again losing someone she loved when George passed on March 21, 2005. Mary Anne did find companionship, yet again. She reconnected with her high school prom date, Frank Hartmann. Over the last 20 years they would often go out to eat, and she also shared her love of attending casinos and crafting with him.

Mary Anne was passionate about crafting, especially Christmas home décor, ornaments and floral arrangements, with lots of glitter and more glitter! You could say, “She was the local Hobby Lobby of glitter!” Mary Anne then shared her creations by selling them at local craft shows.

Mary Anne’s greatest joy was being the grandma of 7 grandchildren and great grandma to 13 great grandchildren. She shared this with everyone! Mary Anne remained actively involved in their lives, babysitting, visiting, sleepovers, making kiddie crafts, baking cookies, attending school and sporting events. Mary Anne loved spending time with both her immediate and extended family. She was outgoing, energetic, and engaged in her community and the lives of her friends and family.

Forever loved, Mary Anne will be forever missed by her children, Rick (Tammy) Cervenka, Tim (Tracy) Cervenka, Lisa (Kent) Moberg; grandchildren, Tina (Eric) Weisenburger, Trevin (Brittany) Cervenka, Taira Cervenka, Chris (Kasey) Cervenka, Erick (Jocelyn) Cervenka, Evan Welin, Brett (Ben) Dresow; 13 great grandchildren; special friend, Frank Hartmann; brothers, Jim (Barb) Weber, Joe (Carol) Weber; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends

Greeting Mary Anne home in Heaven are her husbands, Dick Cervenka, and George Counter; parents, Wemer and Della Weber; siblings, Patricia (Wayne) Doheny, Bill Weber, Tom (Judy) Weber, and Kathy Weber.