Mary Sullivan, age 89, of Rochester, MN, formerly of Elma, IA, died Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at Madonna Towers of Rochester.

Mary was born August 4, 1929 in Elma, IA. A lifelong educator, Mary received her teacher's certificate and started her career in Iowa in 1954. She went on to receive both a B.A. in Education from the University of Northern Iowa, and a M.S. in Psychology and Counseling from Winona State University. She fulfilled her role as teacher and counselor for decades in Minnesota, retiring in 1994.

She was an active member of her church community in Rochester throughout her life. Although she valued her faith and her role as educator, it was her role as mother that she most cherished. It is for this that her children will forever be grateful.

Mary is survived by her children, Margaret, Patrick (Ward), Michael (Paul), Warren (Lisa), and Catherine (friend, John); grandchildren, Aleisha, Madison, and Jack; and great-grandchild, Dillon.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Burdell; daughter, Caroline; parents, Philip and Elizabeth Biwer; siblings, Joe, Phyllis, Betty, and Matthew.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2019 at Madonna Towers, 4001 19th Ave NW, Rochester. Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, 1105 12th St. SE, Rochester, and will continue one hour prior to the service at Madonna Towers on Monday. Interment will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Lourdes, IA.

Memorials are preferred to NAMIMN (National Alliance on Mental Illness).