Mary Froiland

Mary Froiland, age 84 of Dawson and Minneapolis, MN, took her final breath on April 7th, 2026.

Mary was an original. She was unconventional. She lived her life her own way. She was a natural athlete in a time before women's athleticism was celebrated. As a kid, she could outrun even her brother who held the county track title. She was the wide-receiver for his quarterback practice and was his best friend. Growing up on the farm, she was her father's helper out in the fields and after going away for school, she would return in the summers to work by his side.

Mary loved to play tennis. And she was a fierce competitor. The year she went to nationals with her USTA women's team was a dream come true. And it was known, especially by her sisters and cousins, her competitive nature extended past sports to cards and games too. But, despite that, she enjoyed a cooperative puzzle most. Many visits, especially in her last year, we're held over a puzzle. She loved her family. They were always welcome in her home. She thought of her nieces and nephews as her other children. Many will remember her large, dining room table as, "the puzzle table".

Mary met her partner Les through the tennis community. They had a unique and powerful connection, again unconventional, and yet perfect. Les was her person, and he was hers. Their care for one another was apparent through her last breath.

Mary was a teacher, she taught at White River AZ, on the Fort Apache reservation spoke fondly of her time there. She later became a psychologist. Mary's psychology practice was a point of great pride. She worked so hard and cared so deeply for her clients. People and connections were what mattered most in Mary's life.

Mary also loved music. She could name a tune from the turn of the century through the 90s. She sang in choirs, played saxophone in high school and learned to play guitar in her twenties. The last song she sang was a duet of, You Are My Sunshine, with her daughter from her hospital bed.

Mary was a caring and generous mother and grandmother. She had only one daughter, Sarah, at the age of forty. She worked hard to provide opportunity and security long after Sarah was grown and had children of her own. She was also a mother-figure to Les's daughter, Kelly who was with her in her last moments.

Mary had many friends and roommates over the years. From back home in Dawson, to her time teaching in Albuquerque, living and attending college in Mankato, working with her crew at the Malt Shop in Minneapolis, her second family from both recovery and the psychology community, neighbors from York Ave to Puerto Vallarta, and her teammates and friends from USTA tennis. Everywhere she went she found her people and she cherished them all. She will be greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Audrey and "Sonny". Mary is survived by partner, Les Puett; daughter Sarah Steed; Les's children Kelly & Phil; grandchildren Alana, Lily, Brady, Kiera, & River; siblings Anne Paradis, Irene Matz, Butch, and Rachel Quenemoen; and many close friends and clients she cared for.Mary's family asks that you honor her memory by performing an act of kindness. An open Celebration of Life will be held from 1-4 PM on Memorial Day, May 25 at Les's Condo, 5517 Sanibel Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343. Dress casually. Parking restrictions have been lifted and Pedicab park-and-ride service is available from the Merite House of Beauty lot near Shady Oak Rd and Sanibel Dr. A private family gathering will be held in June.