Mary Lou Gray

Obituary

Mary Lou Gray was born on October 12, 1943, in Glencoe, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Lawrence and Luella (Elling) Nellen. Mary Lou was baptized as an infant at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was later confirmed as a youth at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Minnesota. Mary Lou received her education at Emanuel Lutheran School in Hamburg and graduated with the Central High School class of 1961.

On August 8, 1964, Mary Lou was united in marriage to Terry Ernest Gray at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg.  Mary Lou and Terry made their home in Hutchinson, Minnesota briefly following the nuptials. Soon thereafter, the couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, for a short time for Terry to begin his career with Northwest Airlines. The couple made their forever home and raised their family in Hamburg, Minnesota. They were blessed with three children, Jim, Colleen, and Jon. Mary Lou and Terry shared 40 years of marriage until Terry passed away on January 12, 2004.

Mary Lou was a loving mother and homemaker. Caring for her family was of utmost importance to her. She would often be heard saying “I love you to the moon and back!” when parting from them. Mary Lou was a faithful member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg. At Christmas time, Mary Lou loved to play the dice game and spoil the grandchildren with piles of gifts. Following the game, Mary Lou would also love to attend the Christmas Eve Church Service at Emanuel with her whole family. She looked forward to spending time outdoors tending to her gardens and canning all that she harvested. She enjoyed traveling up north and spending time at her family’s cabin and spending her winters in Florida.

Mary Lou entered her eternal rest on September 19, 2023, at Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, Minnesota, at the age of 79. Blessed be her memory.

Mary Lou is survived by her:
Children, Jim Gray and his wife, Connie of Dassel, MN,
                Colleen Gagnon and her husband, Jerry of Buffalo, MN,
                Jon Gray and his wife, Dana of Bradenton, FL;
Grandchildren, Matthew (Katelyn) Gray, Jennifer (Leif) Hoklin, Tim Gray, Amanda Gray, Beauregard Gagnon, Brooke (Cody) Benjamin, Savannah Gray, Victoria Gray, Evelyn Gray, Giovonni Gray;
Great-Grandchildren, Elizabeth Hoklin, Josephine Hoklin, John Hoklin, Emmanuel Benjamin, Effie Benjamin;
Sister, Margie Hedtke and her husband, Bob of Norwood Young America, MN;
Brother-in-law, Randy Gray, and his wife, Marsha of Crosby, MN;
Sister-in-law, Sandy Nellen of Hamburg, MN;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband, Terry Gray; Parents, Lawrence and Luella Nellen; Father-In-Law & Mother-In-Law, Ernest and Hazel Gray; Brother, Butch Nellen; Sister, Shirley (Glen) Bonine; Brother-in-law, Tom Gray.