Mary Wavell

MARY MILDRED WAVELL was born to Edwin and Nina (Carson) Anderson on July 12, 1917 on a farm in Troy Township of Pipestone County, Minnesota where she was raised and attended country school. When she was in the fourth grade, she moved with her parents into Pipestone and completed her education, graduating from Pipestone High School in 1936. On December 21, 1937, she was united in marriage to Wilbur A. “Chub” Wavell at the Zion United Methodist Church parsonage in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed by the lake in Ihlen, Minnesota for five years. Then, in 1943, they moved to Chub’s parents’ farm in Sweet Township of Pipestone County. Eventually they bought the farm. They lived there for over 50 years. During this time, they also took in many foster children and helped raise them. In 1993, they moved back into Pipestone. Chub preceded Mary in death a year later. After his death, she continued to reside in Pipestone. She entered Ashton Care Center in Pipestone and then moved to Tuff Home in Hills, Minnesota in 2010. She died there on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at the age of 94 years, nine months and 12 days.

Mary was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. When she married Chub, she joined Salem United Methodist Church. She was currently a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone where she was active in the UMW and her Bible study group. She belonged to the Neighbors Club and went out to lunch with them once a month. She also went out once a month with a group from her graduating class. She was addicted to playing bridge. She loved to work in politics, and she was not afraid of controversy. That’s why Mary became involved in the Pipestone school issue. She became part of “Our Kids and Communities” which was a key driving force to build the new school.

She is lovingly remembered by a special nephew, David Newell and his wife Janet of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a special niece, Janet McClure and her husband Bob of Luverne, Minnesota; and several other nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chub; her parents; one brother, Donald (Marguerite) Anderson; two sisters, Ruth (Pat) Sherwood and Dorothy Wilkens; and one nephew, Dale Wilkens.

Blessed be her memory!