Mary Ann Ahles, age 69, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly Waubun, MN, died Sunday October 10, 2010 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living Detroit Lakes.

Mary Ann Blattenbauer, the daughter of James and Fern (Lindeman) Blattenbauer, was born June 23, 1941 in Mahnomen, MN. She grew up in the Waubun area and attended Espe country school and later Waubun Public School. As a young woman, Mary Ann worked as a waitress at Grace's Café in Waubun. On February 4, 1958, Mary Ann was united in marriage to Herbert Ahles at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun. They made their home in Waubun and were blessed with two children, Michael & Barbara. From 1971 – 1981 Mary Ann worked as the bookkeeper for their business Ahles Oil, and also served as the bookkeeper for St. Ann's Catholic Church. Over the years, she babysat for many children in their community. Mary Ann and Herb continued to make their home in Waubun until January 2010 at which time they moved to Detroit Lakes.


Mary Ann was a talented artist and sold her artwork around the country. She especially liked to paint flowers and was known to use unconventional canvases, such as various types of saw blades. In her younger years, Mary Ann liked to fish and ride snowmobile. More recently she could be found in front of her computer and spent hours working on her embroidery machine. She also loved to cook, bake, and play Canasta. She cherished each of her grandchildren, chasing around and playing peek-a-boo with them. Mary Ann's gentle spirit will be missed by many.


Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Herbert of Detroit Lakes; one son, Michael (Yvonne Bakken) of Detroit Lakes; one daughter, Barbara (Paul) Brehm of Waubun; one brother, Daniel Blattenbauer of Bemidji, MN; three sisters-in-law: Olene Ahles, Madeline (Jerome) Benson, and Colleen Blattenbauer, all of Waubun; two grandchildren, Scott (Tammy Haspel) Brehm and Brett (Kelsey Lanoue) Brehm, all of Waubun and four great grandchildren: Faith Haspel, Maverick Brehm, Taya Brehm, and Karidee Lefebvre; and several nieces and nephews.


Mass of Christian burial was held at 3:00pm on Friday, October 15, 2010 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun, with Fr. Dwight Hoeberechts OMI officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Kenny Blattenbauer, Ron Spaeth, Andy Blattenbauer, Russ Blattenbauer, Paul Ahles, and Steve Ahles. Visitation was held on Friday at the Church from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. Interment was at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Waubun.