Mary Ann Kerkvliet

Obituary

Mary Ann (Richter) Kerkvliet was born on February 8, 1940, in Rock Valley, Iowa. She was the daughter of William and Marie (Klein) Richter. Mary Ann was baptized as an infant at St Mary's Catholic Church in Rock Valley, Iowa, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth. She received her education in Rock Valley and was a graduate of the Rock Valley High School Class of 1958. Mary Ann furthered her education by attending stewardess training at the National School of Aeronautics in Kansas City, Missouri and nursing training at St. Joseph's Hospital in Mitchell, South Dakota and St. Mary's School of Nursing in Pierre, South Dakota. She began her nursing career at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

On June 17, 1961, Mary Ann was united in marriage to Bernard Kerkvliet at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rock Valley. This marriage was blessed with four sons, Mark, Gary, Stephen, and Timothy. Mary Ann and Bernard resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, until 1973, when they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota. Mary Ann and Bernard shared 51 years of marriage until the passing of Bernard on February 22, 2012.

In addition to being a loving homemaker and mother, Mary Ann held employment as an office manager and nurse for Dr. Ken Peterson in Hutchinson, and later worked as an LPN at Burns Manor Nursing Home in Hutchinson until retirement. Mary Ann attended St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson, where she was a member of the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) and served as choir director for six years. Mary Ann and Bernard were instrumental in establishing Eucharistic Adoration in St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. She was also a volunteer for Connectcare Hospice in Hutchinson for 27 years.

Mary Ann attended over 50 Catholic retreats at Christ the King (Kings House) Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN. She enjoyed crocheting and card making. She also enjoyed horseback riding and went skydiving with her son, Stephen, at the age of 55. Mary Ann loved to travel and took trips to Europe; she especially enjoyed the many pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina. She also enjoyed a trip to Africa with her grandson, Peter. Mary Ann cherished the time she spent with her family.

Mary Ann is survived by her:
Sons, Mark Kerkvliet and his wife, Katy, of Harwood, ND,
Gary Kerkvliet and his wife, Janet, of Cockeysville, MD,
Stephen Kerkvliet and his wife, Laurie, of Chanhassen, MN,
Timothy Kerkvliet and his wife, Polly, of Hutchinson, MN;
AFS Son, Sam Aning and his wife, Merci, of Ghana, West Africa, now Hackensack, NJ;
Grandchildren, Amanda Richards and her husband, Ian, Amber Wright and her husband Art, Stephanie Perez Kerkvliet and her husband Carlos, Peter Kerkvliet, Ashley Kerkvliet;
Great Grandchildren, Gabriel Richards, Irisa Richards, Alasia Kerkvliet, Dalton Wright;
Brothers-in-law, Francis Kerkvliet and his wife, Robin, of Lester Prairie, MN,
Wayne Wieczorek, of Sioux Falls, SD;
Sisters-in-law, Claire Tieszen and her husband, Ray, of Sioux Falls, SD,
Helen Honomichl of Sioux Falls, SD,
Shirley Kerkvliet, of Madison, TN,
Linda Richter of Chanhassen, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, many other relatives, and friends.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marie Richter; Husband, Bernard Kerkvliet; Brothers, Frances Richter, William Richter, Joseph Richter in infancy; Brothers-in-law, Leo Kerkvliet, Charles Kerkvliet, Darrel Honomichl; Sisters-in-law, Sister Mary Rose Kerkvliet, Cathy Kerkvliet, Lynn Kerkvliet, Dorothy Wieczorek.

The family cannot express enough thank-yous for the care that was provided to Mary Ann from Summerwood of Chanhassen and Optage Hospice. These organizations became an extension of the Kerkvliet family.