Mary Dodge 04/11/2016

Mary K. Dodge, age 63 of rural Ellsworth, WI peacefully left this life for the next on Monday, April 11, 2016 in the care of her family and the loving staff at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul, MN.  The second child of Donald and Kathleen (Huppert) Deiss of Hager City, WI, Mary began her formal education at St. Mary’s Elementary School and graduated from Ellsworth High School with the class of 1971, then went on to earn a BA in Music Education at UW-River Falls.  Mary was united in marriage on September 27, 1975 to Randy Dodge, who built her the beautiful house overlooking Trimbelle Creek that would be their home for the next 41 years.  Mary was the owner of River Falls Diet Center and loved being a counsellor to all her clients there for 20 years.  Mary shared her love of music and her gift of piano and organ playing with the parish to which she belonged for her entire life, St. Mary’s of Big River.  She also shared her musical gifts with choral groups in the schools and in nursing homes over the years.  Mary was also a Faith Formation teacher for St. Mary’s Big River and piano instructor.  Mary’s first priorities were always her faith and her family.  She also delighted in travel, horseback riding, dancing, flower gardening, reading, and birthday and holiday parties.  AS her children grew, she loved entertaining family and friends with her music and made holidays extra special for many.  Mary was one of the most loving and supportive of mothers and known to many for her great generosity and passion for helping others.  Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Daniel; sister, Julie; parents, Donald and Kathleen Deiss; and father-in-law, Nello Dodge.  She is survived by her husband, Randy; sons, Fr. Billy Dodge and Dustin Dodge; brother, Tony (Lynn Clifford) Deiss; sisters, Jean (Gary) Flynn and Noreen Deiss; mother-in-law, Delores “Mick” Dodge; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.  Mary’s passage to her eternal home was celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Big River W10137 570th Avenue River Falls at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 16, 2016, preceded by visitation for 1 hour.  There was also visitation for Mary at the Bakken-Young Funeral Home 805 E Division Street River Falls on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 4-8 pm with a prayer service at 7:15 pm.  Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to:  Our Lady of Peace Hospice, St. Paul, MN or St. Mary’s Big River River Falls, WI.  Special thanks to Our Lady of Peace Hospice and United Hospital staff in St. Paul who so generously and lovingly helped care for Mary and family during her short, courageous battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme.  Thanks also to all the priests and religious, St. Mary’s Prayer Chain, and all Mary’s beloved friends and family for theirs prayers and positive wishes during her illness, St. Mary’s Parish Community and Bakken-Young, who assisted the family with Mary’s funeral arrangements.