Service Information
Mae E. Mulenburg, age 91, of Glencoe, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Ecumen Pines in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Private Family Memorial Service will be held at the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe, with interment following in the Glencoe City Cemetery in Glencoe.
Public Gathering of Family & Friends will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 10:00-11:00 A.M., at the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe.
Obituary
Mae was born on May 18, 1933, in Sacred Heart, Minnesota, to Ole and Melvina (Melsness) Bjerkeset. She grew up in Sacred Heart with her six brothers; Gordon, Kenny, Odell, Silas, Merle, Melvin, and one sister, Pearl. As a youngster she enjoyed playing ball games with her brothers, spending time at her cousin’s farm by the Minnesota River, and speaking Norwegian with her beloved Grandfather Peter. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors’ Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart. Mae was an active student and cheerleader, and she developed an early love of photography from which she captured many photos of friends and family growing up.
Mae met her husband, John Mulenburg from nearby Granite Falls, Minnesota, walking along the sidewalk in downtown Sacred Heart. They were instantly attracted to each other and married in August 1950. They soon moved to Minneapolis where John was employed and going to school. Their first two children, Patricia and Larry, were born in Minneapolis. Following his schooling, John began a career on the railroad working as a Depot Agent and Train Order Clerk. Working for the railroad meant several moves for the young family to rural communities in Minnesota and South Dakota. Along with all the moving three more children were born, Lorrie, Mark, and Craig.
In 1963, Mae, John, and the five kids made a more permanent move to Glencoe, MN where John worked as a Depot Agent for the Milwaukee Railroad. Mae served her family as a homemaker, and as the kids got older, she worked part-time at Telex and the Rolling Pin Bakery in Glencoe. She was also a longtime volunteer with Meals on Wheels.
When John retired, he and Mae began living a quiet retirement life in Glencoe. Mae loved gardening, playing cards with her friends, playing Bingo, taking occasional trips to the casino, and having family gatherings with her kids and grandkids. She loved to bake and cook. She became a diehard Twins fan cherishing her collection of baseballs autographed by Twins players. She was extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage and her prize Lefsa. A highlight of her life was a trip to Norway where she visited the church and farm site where her dad and grandparents had lived; while there she also met some of her Norwegian relatives. She was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church and a regular church helper.
In their late 80’s Mae and John moved from their home in Glencoe to the Assisted Living at Ecumen Pines in Hutchinson. John passed away in January of 2021. Mae remained at Ecumen until her passing on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the age of 91 years. Blessed be her memory.
Mae is survived by her
5 Children, Patricia Lenz of Brooklyn Park, MN, Larry Mulenburg and wife, Mary, of Glencoe, MN, Lorrie Link and husband, Bob, of Hutchinson, MN, Mark Mulenburg and wife, Deedee, of Hutchinson, MN, Craig Mulenburg and wife, Denise, of St. Peter, MN;
Brother, Kenny Bjerkeset and wife, Terry, of Ankeny, Iowa;
11 Grandchildren;
10 Great-Grandchildren;
Several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Melvina Bjerkeset; her husband, John Mulenburg; five brothers, Gordon, Odell, Silas, Merle, and Melvin; Sister, Pearl; Grandson, Luke Mulenburg; Son-in-law, Roger Lenz.
Mik and Bob Koehnen says
Pat and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Sending much love and prayers.
Shirley Schwarze says
My sympathy to your family. First met your mom years ago when your family moved to a house on Hwy 212 west of our farm. Our paths crossed various times over the years and it was always a good conversation about our families. Especially the times Mark and our Steven played together as youngsters. May your family memories be a comfort and blessing.
Bonnie Hahn says
I worked with Mae at Telex. Such a kind and wonderful woman. Haven’t spoken to her forever ago, but still brought a smile to my heart. Sympathies on your loss. RIP Mae.
Heather Woody says
I just wanted to share some of my favorite things about my Grandma:
Her red lipstick and her coffee cup with her red lipstick around the rim
Her apple pies
Her earrings, her button up shirt and her pants and her curly hair- she always looked the same to me. She had the best ‘grandma look’
The double mint gum in her purse that she would share
Her saying ‘we’ve got time for a card game’
Her laugh- the way her head went up when she laughed, either when someone said something funny or when she said something funny
She was witty
She had a ‘light look’ on life, she never complained and never seemed like things got her down
A few people call me ‘Heath’ but she was my favorite person who called that
I was soo lucky to have her as my Grandma and to have her for soo many years of my life
Lorrie Link says
I was so blessed with a wonderful Mom who was also my best friend!
Barbara Schuetz Markgraf says
Sympathy to you and family! Thinking of you during this difficult time. Give Mark a hug from me also.
Dan and Shanda Landes says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you say farewell to your beloved mother/grandmother.
Jan Jungclaus says
Pat, your mom sounded like a fabulous woman and a great lefsa maker. I know she will be missed and yet you haveso much to remember! Thinking of you.
Ruth Beneke says
My sympathy to your family at this sad time. I know you all have some great memories of your mom, she was a great lady and a lot of fun to be around.
Mary Mulenburg says
From the first moment I met my husband Larry’s mother, I knew she was special. She made me feel like part of the family immediately with her hospitality and warmth. Over the years I saw a very close knit family who truly enjoyed spending time with one another. Gatherings were always filled with jokes and stories (some told regularly!). I’ll never forget her voice lively expressing the Norwegian one liner that she must’ve repeated thousands of times over the years, and I’ll always picture her with her cup of coffee sitting on the back porch enjoying the birds and conversation with whoever was visiting. She was big hearted with a great sense of humor and I have been blessed to be a part of her family.
I will add that our kids always called her Cuckoo grandma! I don’t know who came up with it, but my mom was “Plain grandma” and Mae was “Cuckoo grandma”. She got that name for 2 reasons – #1 was because of the intricate cuckoo clock on their living room wall that delighted the kids on the hour; #2 was because she was always fun and silly when interacting with the grandkids. That name could be lovingly carved on her gravestone!
Corrine Brown says
I loved your mother; I loved the whole family. I can only imagine the grief you are experiencing now. I wish you all peace as you turn to each other after this great loss. I am sorry I missed services yesterday but I only found out about loss today. Take care all of you and God bless.
Mary Mulenburg says
I wanted to share a few photos and also a part of the funeral service (Larry shares his thoughts towards the end of the video) with this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/h4r6b2tns46q7co540ysq/ABKoA0CWG8aAYTty5uqWmFI?rlkey=vl1cww5qgif1sc0xlt5vxecw4&dl=0