Mary Kay Deneffe

Mary Kay Deneffe, of Ash Lake (Orr) MN, was surrounded by family and close friends when she peacefully passed away after a courageous 2 year battle against Lung Cancer on Saturday June 22, 2017, at the age of 63.

Mary was born on January 4, 1954 in Waseca MN, to Harvey and Helen Deneffe.  She graduated from New Prague High School, and later in life proudly became the first one in her family to graduate from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Mankato State University.  For several years she lived in rural North Mankato and later worked as a Public and Mental Health Nurse for Blue Earth County. She then moved up north near Orr with her partner and started working as an RN/Mental Health Nurse in International Falls, where she continued her passion working at the Hardwig House.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Dean.

She is survived by her partner Robert Giefer; two daughters, Jennifer Gleason and Maria Essman (Brad); two grandchildren Emily and Olivia; two brothers Alan (Wendy), and Jim (Cheryl); Sister in-law Betty; and her loving pet Shadow.

In honor of Mary's memory we will be having a Celebration of Life at the Backus Community Center, 900 5th St. International Falls, MN on August 5th, from 2pm – 5pm. At her request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hardwig House in International Falls in her memory.  A second celebration will be held at a later date in Nicollet, MN.  Funeral arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.  To sign the online guestbook, or to leave a condolence for the family, go to: www.mlakerfuneralhome.com