Mary Hoppestad, age 66, of Mahnomen, MN, died Sunday, January 18, 2015, at Essentia Oak Crossing, Detroit Lakes, MN, under care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Mary Lois Kveno was born October 9, 1948, in Thief River Falls, MN, the daughter of Orville and Janet (Trontvet) Kveno. Growing up in the Gary, MN, area she graduated from Gary High School in 1966 as the class Valedictorian. Following graduation, Mary attended Concordia College where she graduated Cum Laude in 1970 with a major in Elementary Education and minors in English and Religion. Throughout the years Mary furthered her education with many additional classes. She began her teaching career in 1970 in Burnsville, MN, until 1972, followed by a two year teaching contract in Pierz, MN. On June 12, 1971, Mary was united in marriage to Paul Hoppestad at Ness Lutheran Church, rural Gary. Upon the completion of Paul's veterinarian schooling the couple moved to Mahnomen in 1974. From 1974 until her retirement in 2005, Mary worked as a first grade teacher for the Mahnomen School District. During her 35 years of teaching, Mary educated and nurtured many children. Although none of her own, she loved all the children and had a passion for teaching. Her gentle and kind demeanor along with her generous spirit made her a natural.
In addition to teaching, Mary also kept busy with other organizations including the Red Hatters, Library Club, Mahnomen Historical Society and in younger years, the Mahnomen Jaycees. Before the cellphone and modern technology, she dedicated many hours answering the telephone at the veterinary clinic operated by her husband, Paul, and Dr. Ron Goos.

Mary loved her Lord and was truly a woman of faith. She was a very active member of First Lutheran Church and its many facets. She loved music and sang in the choir, served on many committees and helped with Vacation Bible School to name a few. Mary was a driving force in the first annual Thanksgiving Dinner held at First Lutheran Church and with her organization and immense amount of details, the dinner was successful again this year. Other pastimes Mary enjoyed were fishing, camping, reading and baking her specialties of blueberry muffins, poppy seed bread and Krum kaka. She loved spending time with family and friends and working the crossword and Sudoku puzzles daily.

Mary is survived by her husband, Paul, Mahnomen; sister, Janice (Larry) Nelson, Luverne, MN; brother, Harry (Kim) Kveno, Gary; uncle, Orville (Bobbie) Trontvet, Grand Forks, ND; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by Paul's brothers; Lamont (Jeanne) Hoppestad, Tennesee, Harlan (Carol) Hoppestad, Texas, Curtis (Linda) Hoppestad, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials to First Lutheran Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and release time school, Ness Lutheran Cemetery, Teach Haiti and World Hunger.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 23rd at 11:00am at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 22nd from 5:00pm until 7:00pm with a Prayer Service at 6:30pm at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral on Friday.

Burial will be at Ness Lutheran Cemetery in rural Gary, MN.