Watch Mary Anna's Funeral Mass

Mary Anna Kragness, age 77, of Waubun, MN, died Sunday, July 23, 2023, at her daughter's home with family and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Mary Anna Kragness was born in Detroit Lakes, MN on April 9, 1946, to Milton and Leone (Anderson) Steichen. She grew up on the family farm in rural Waubun, MN. She was the oldest of 9 children and proved to be a strong and responsible helper over the years. After graduating from Waubun High School, Mary Anna attended Moorhead State University where she studied elementary education and later worked on her master's degree. She taught kindergarten for 40 years and took pride in working with children. She was creative, thoughtful, and always did what was best for her students.

Mary Anna was a mother, wife, and friend to many. She married Don Freed on May 21, 1968, in West Fargo, ND. They raised two children, Scott and Ericka, in their home in Horace, ND. She later married Ron Kragness and resided in Moorhead, MN. Mary Anna was a loving mother and grandmother. She spent hours on the phone with her daughter on her car rides to and from work. They shared a love for education and enjoyed talking about the current trends and changes in their profession. When she moved closer, they spent time together between their two homes. Her granddaughters, Lola and McCrae, were the light of her life and added joy to each one of her days. You could often find grandma tickling legs and backs while watching a favorite movie or reading books quietly with the girls. The bond created between the four of them left behind a solid foundation of love, respect, and gratitude to share with future generations.

Mary Anna was an avid reader. She enjoyed reading about the Native American culture and murder mysteries. While living in Horace, she had a large library that neighbors would often borrow from. In her later years, Mary Anna enjoyed traveling to the library and reading with a dessert and coffee of choice. She sparked the love of literature in her daughter and granddaughters with trips to Barnes and Noble and surprising them with books in the mail.

Mary Anna was good at sending notes, cards, and checking in with family and friends. She wrote to tell stories, share recipes, and to simply stay connected. She loved to listen to her radio and write. She had the most beautiful handwriting, which always made her letters seem more meaningful or "fancy" like her grand kids would say.

Mary Anna enjoyed traveling, dancing, downhill skiing, ice skating, and motorcycle rides. She took many relatives on trips across the globe; those trips were a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will never be forgotten.

Mary Anna is survived by her daughter, Ericka (Chad) Urness of Horace, ND; granddaughters, Addie, Lola and McCrae Urness; two sisters, Cleone Pridgen and Rebecca Richards, both of Auburndale, FL; three brothers: Aldean (Linda) of Lake City, FL, Tim (Kim) also of Lake City, and Leonard (Janice) of Waubun; sisters-in-law, Jean Steichen of Elmwood, WI and Julie Steichen of Waubun; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Scott Freed; brothers: Daniel, Donald and Peter.

Blessed be the memory of Mary Anna Kragness.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 5-7 pm with a Prayer Service & Rosary beginning at 6:30 pm at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun.  Following the visitation, everyone is invited to Mary Anna's home in Waubun for fellowship and a Celebration of Life.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, August 4th at 11 am, also at St. Ann's Catholic Church followed by burial in the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery in Ogema, MN.

Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available on the website.