Mary L. Weivoda, 94, of rural Chatfield, died on the evening of Wednesday, October 4, 2017, surrounded by her family at her home following a brief illness.

Mary Lorraine (Campion) Weivoda was born to Francis Jeremiah Campion and Florence Mae (Kennedy) Campion on December 30, 1922 on a farm near Simpson, Minnesota. She attended schools in Simpson, Minn., La Crosse, Wisc., St. Paul, Minn., and was a 1942 graduate of John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minn. On July 27, 1946, she married Arnold Conrad Weivoda of Albany, Minn. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester. The couple lived briefly on farms near Albany, Minn., before moving to a rural residence near Chatfield.

Mrs. Weivoda worked outside the home throughout much of her life, eventually becoming manager of the lunch counter/restaurant at Snyder Drug at Crossroads Shopping Center in Rochester.

As an adult leader with the Orion Challengers 4-H Club, Mary wrote and directed multiple one-act play productions — two of which she wrote specifically for her cast ("Godfrey the Gremlin" and "Courage of the Boys in 202"). She was later asked by the 4-H Clubs of Olmsted County to write and direct an historical pageant highlighting the history and values of 4-H as part of an anniversary celebration. Also, as part of her 4H involvement, Mary helped the club create award-winning county fair booths. Mary was also an active member of the Zumbro Valley Rose Society, a local Olmsted County Extension Society group, and the St. Mary's Catholic Church Rosary Group.

To those who knew her, Mary was a loving person with an open-door policy. Her open heart allowed her to become friends with people of all walks of life and backgrounds. She was a proud life-long Democrat having formed her beliefs listening to FDR's fireside chats. As a child of the depression and war-rationing, she learned how to save and make everything count. Mary was strong, determined, tenacious, and, as the family expression goes, "tough as boiled owl." It was these qualities that allowed her to live her life on her terms — staying independent and in her home until her death.

Mary is survived by two sons, Dennis (Lilli) and Terry (Peggy), both of rural Chatfield; one daughter Carol Purcell (Henry Cluney) of Rochester; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband (Arnold); one son (Michael); and one grandson (Johnathan).

The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12:30pm on Monday, October 9, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester with Father Thomas Loomis officiating. Friends may call at the church prior to the service beginning at 11:30am. Burial of her remains will be in St. Bridget's Cemetery, Simpson, MN.