Mary Durnbaugh

Mary C. Durnbaugh, age 74, passed peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2024, at Kinnic Health and Rehab in River Falls, Wisconsin.

Mary was the 2nd youngest of 4 children who grew up in Gregory, Michigan. After high school she attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo for a few years focusing on social work. She met her husband, David Durnbaugh, while in college. After the children were born, they settled in Minnesota and Mary ran a successful and welcoming home daycare business for many years. As the children grew, she shifted to working in the school system food services and before-and-after care programs. She was a natural caregiver, always asking if you needed anything to eat or drink, even up until the very end.

Mary was a spiritual adventurer and deep believer. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, music, reading, crossword puzzles, and always taking care of people. Her nickname, Grace, embodied her ability to gracefully multitask and take care of business with ease and efficiency.

Mary is survived by her brother George (Carol), sister Rebecca, daughter Maria (Matthew), son Elijah, and 3 grandchildren she adored. A celebration of life will be planned for later in the year.

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.