Mary Ellen Crowell

Mary Ellen Crowell of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota passed away Friday, September 4, 2015. She was 92 years of age. Mary was born to Eli and Ida (Bailey) Sargent on December 31, 1922 in Green Valley Township, Becker County, Minnesota. She was reared and educated in Osage Township, Becker County, Minnesota. Mary was wed to Gordon Crowell on June 7, 1941 at Osage Baptist Church. Mary and Gordon had nine children. She and Gordon also moved several times in their marriage. They lived in the state of Washington, Osage, MN; Hibbing, MN; and Detroit Lakes area before moving to St. Paul in 1963. Mary returned to school and received her GED in 1965. After, She finished her GED, Mary worked as a teacher's aide. Mary then went back to school at the Rasmussen School of Business and in 1968, completed a degree in secretarial science. She then acquired a job, working for the State of Minnesota Transportation Department. Mary worked as a clerk/typist. Mary retired in 1983 due to a brain tumor, leaving her unable to work at her job anymore. She then moved back to Detroit Lakes in 1984. Mary will be remembered most for her very strong faith in God. She was a member of the Detroit Lakes Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Mary had many hobbies and interests. Among her favorites, she enjoyed quilting, embroidery, gardening and especially flower gardens. But more than anything she loved her family and spending time with them. Especially at the holiday's when the family would all get together. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. You could see the glow on her face as she watched all the family members interacting and just enjoying spending time together. Surviving are her daughters, Wanda (Gary) Green of Vergas, MN; Laura (Don) Fjeld of Twin Valley, MN; Cheryle Rude of Detroit Lakes, MN; sons, Pastor Fred (Roberta) Crowell of Detroit Lakes, MN; Walter (Pam) Crowell of Hoyt, MN; Tom (Bertha) Crowell of Detroit Lakes, MN; twenty grandchildren, thirty seven great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gordon, one daughter, Leona, two sons, James and Lowell, two grandchildren, Gary Jr. and Chuckie, two siblings, Clara Deitchler and Dorothy Shapersky.