Mary Dean Trenda, 83, Owatonna
Mary Dean Trenda, 83, died Friday, December 16, 2022 surrounded by family.
Mary was born in Milwaukee on Aug. 3, 1939 to CJ and El Dean McGrane. She graduated from Holy Angels High School in 1957 as the valedictorian. Upon graduation from high school, she pursued her calling in attending nursing school at the College of St. Theresa in Winona. Mary graduated with a Bachelor of Science – RN degree in 1961. She completed her nursing clinical at St. Marys in Rochester.
She married the love of her life Don Trenda on Feb. 24, 1962. Don and Mary were wed at St. Robert’s Catholic Church in Milwaukee. After their wedding, they moved to the Trenda farm in Owatonna where they raised their five children.
On March 1, 1961, Mary started her nursing career at the Owatonna Hospital where she worked for 36 years in many departments. From 1970 until 1987, Mary was also a part-time nurse at St. Mary’s Catholic School. She retired from the Owatonna Hospital on June 30, 1997 as a mental health nurse. Mary attempted to fully retire from nursing two times, but never quite had the knack for it. Mary was instrumental in organizing the first parish nursing program in Owatonna. She was a very active member of Sacred Heart Church from cleaning, to providing music, and nursing ministries. She also helped found the Healthy Senior program in Owatonna and continued supporting the parish in many ways.
Mary enjoyed sports: she was an avid Packer AND Viking fan. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Mary was there for family no matter what. Mary is survived by her husband Don; her children: Caroline (Michael) Mazza, Mike (Tammy) Trenda, Tracie (Rod) Peterson, Pete Trenda, and Ginny (Jon) Russell, 16 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, CJ and El Dean McGrane, and two great grandsons.
Visitation will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with funeral service at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow. All are welcome to attend rosary service prior to visitation at 9:15 a.m.
Private burial will be held on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to benefit Benedictine Care Center of Owatonna and St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Center.