BEMIDJI–Mary J. Wavrin DeVries, age 99, died November 25, 2024, at GoldPine Home, Bemidji, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., December 6, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Nebish, Minnesota, with Rev. Joseph Kennady and Rev. Gerald Meidl officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the funeral. Burial will be private.

Survivors include her children, Carolyn Wavrin, Mary Siegmann (Terry Ferdinandt), Michael (Kristine) Wavrin, Daniel (Susan) Wavrin, and Steve (Deb) Wavrin; grandchildren Jason Meyer, Joel Meyer, Andrew Siegmann, Matt Wavrin, Jacob Wavrin, Patrick Wavrin, Kate Huot, Chelsea Morgan, and Ashleigh Broulard; 16 great-grandchildren; sister JoAnn Kelly; brother James (Janice) Malone; sisters-in-law Jill (Charlie) Parson and Donna Wavrin; brother-in-law, Jack (Karen) DeVries; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by both husbands, Leonard Wavrin and Adrian DeVries; her parents; sister Patricia Berhow; parents-in-law John and Martha Wavrin, and John and Marie DeVries; sister-in-law Karen DeVries Burns; and Leonard’s six siblings.

Mary Jean Malone, known to everyone as Jean, was born August 14, 1925, in rural Steele County, Minnesota, to John Raymond and Mary (Gannon) Malone. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1943 and was employed by Jostens as a defense worker during World War II.

Jean met her future husband, musician Leonard (Lenny) Wavrin, at one of the area ballrooms where she and her friends often went dancing. Jean and Lenny were united in marriage on November 26, 1946, in Owatonna. The couple and their children lived in Owatonna until 1957, when the family moved to New Ulm. Lenny continued his musical career with the Babe Wagner Band and the Elmer Scheid Band, and also worked in construction. Despite her busy life as a mother and homemaker, Jean still enjoyed dancing and playing cards. Lenny died unexpectedly in 1964, leaving Jean a young widow with five children ranging in age from 17 years to 3 weeks. The family was living in a habitable but largely unfinished house that Lenny had been building.

During the challenging years that followed, Jean showed great resilience and courage. Her religious faith strengthened and comforted her as did support from her family, friends, and neighbors. She gradually completed work on the family home. From 1966-74 she was the office manager for the dental practice of Drs. Ted Tyler and Paul Radke.

Jean was united in marriage to Adrian A. DeVries on May 25, 1974, at Holy Trinity Cathedral, New Ulm, and moved to rural Beltrami County, where Adrian farmed. She worked as a cook at Pleasant Valley and Deer Lake Schools in rural Beltrami County.

In 2011 health issues forced Jean to move from the farm to GoldPine Home. Adrian remained on the farm until his health failed. He died July 24, 2021.

Throughout her life Jean demonstrated an exceptional gift for friendship. She was kind, thoughtful, and fun-loving. During her long residency at GoldPine Home she made many friends among residents and staff alike.

Jean loved family above all else. She created a “blended family” in the broadest sense of the term: everyone who was kin or who entered her life through marriage, parenthood, friendship, or work. She experienced deep personal loss, physical pain, and suffering. Throughout it all she persisted–in her faith, her love for her family, and her kindness. May her memory be a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, donations to GoldPine Home in Bemidji or to St. John’s Catholic Church,Nebish, Minnesota, are preferred.

www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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