Mary Ann Wanous, 61, Owatonna
Mary Ann Wanous, 61, of Owatonna, died on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Benedictine Living Community surrounded by her family.
She was born Feb. 5, 1965, in Owatonna, the daughter of Luverne and Marilyn (Wagner) Wanous. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1983 and started working at Cedar Valley Services where she proudly worked for 43 years doing various janitorial jobs.
Mary Ann was a sweetheart and a social butterfly who always loved to visit, make new friends and give hugs. Mary Ann loved her coffee, donuts and going to the eagles on Friday nights with her roommates to eat popcorn and socialize.
In her free time, she loved to color, make crafts, or watch her favorite shows which included Friends, Golden Girls, Little House on the Prairie and Mash. She was a Vikings super fan who would always dress in purple for game days. She also enjoyed dancing to her father’s polka music, bowling, getting treats, and being around babies. Above everything, she loved and adored her family. She would look forward to family events and the "sisters weekend " that she would take with her sisters the last five years. She traveled from Maine to Hawaii and swam with the dolphins. Mary Ann could make anyone smile and would leave a lasting impact on everyone around her. Mary Ann’s group home staff and roommates supported her and made it her 2nd home since October 1993.
She is survived by her sisters, Debbie (Ray) Hanks of Waseca, Jane (Joe) Spatenka of Owatonna, and Nancy (Bryan) Vroman of Owatonna; nieces and nephews, Steven (Jessica) Hanks, Andrew (Chelsea) Hanks, Kyle (LeAnn) Hanks, Trent (Emily) Spatenka, Vanessa (Justin) Johnson, and Tyler Vroman; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Luverne and Marilyn; grandparents, Harold and Mildred Wanous and Fred and Vernice Wagner; aunt, Norma Ackerman; cousins, Bev Hertel and Roxanne Copp.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Michaelson Funeral Home with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
A special thank you to the Cedar Valley Services staff for the wonderful love, support, opportunities, and friendships you have given Mary Ann. You helped make her the special person that she is and have a wonderful life! As Mary Ann would say she got a AA plus!!
Thank you to Emily L. at Ecumen Hospice for her special support during this difficult time.
Memorials are preferred to Cedar Valley Services in Owatonna: 415 N. Grove Ave., Owatonna, MN 55060.