Mary Engler

Mary Engler, aged 101, died in her apartment in Oak Park Heights, MN.

Born in Winona, MN, Mary was the only child of Katherine (Seeling) and Alfred Meier. Mary loved learning, animals, the outdoors, and playing with her cousins on the Taylor family farm in Utica. Mary graduated from Winona High School in 1942. She attended Winona State and graduated with a teaching degree in 1946. She taught high school English in Blooming Prairie MN, Whitehall WI, and Faribault MN.

While teaching in Faribault, she met high school mathematics teacher William (Bill) Engler. They married on June 7, 1952. After several moves for teaching positions, they had two daughters, Katherine (Katie) and Margaret (Maggie).

The family moved to Stillwater in 1963. Mary and Bill joined Ascension Episcopal Church. Mary became very active in many aspects of the church. They included being a lay Eucharistic Minister, a member of the altar guild, and singing in the choir. She also became active as a Girl Scout leader, and eventually chaired the area Scout council's cookie program. She was awarded the Thanks Badge, their highest honor given to an adult Girl Scout.

Mary was invited to become a member of the Stillwater Friday Study Club in 1973, and she remained a member until her death. The group's focus on diverse world events pleased her greatly. She and Bill were ballroom dancers, and earned gold medals for their abilities on the dance floor. Some of their life-long friends were met through dancing. A dancing friend introduced Mary to the staff at the Creative Arts Building at the Minnesota State Fair. From that introduction, Mary became the clerk for the Quilt Judge. She devoted 20 years to the cause.

A life-long gardener and bird watcher, Mary grew lovely roses and Dutch tulips. At every home the family shared, there was at least one bird feeder, and Mary was always talking about what species had visited the feeders that day.

Mary and Bill loved to travel. They took their girls camping across most of the United States in a rented pop up tent camper (Mary would NOT sleep on the ground!) Later in life, she and Bill traveled extensively throughout Europe. Later she and Katie traveled in Russia.

Mary was active with the American Red Cross, and the first woman chair of the Stillwater Chapter. She also was a local guide for Valley Tours, where her love of history and teaching was allowed to shine.

After moving to the Oak Park Heights Senior Living complex in 2011, Mary made many friends and was involved in a variety of activities. Her 100th birthday celebration in 2024 was filled with joy.

Mary is survived by her daughters Katie of Woodbury, and Maggie of Caputa, SD.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, September 11, 2025 with visitation one hour prior to the service all at Ascension Episcopal Church, 214 3rd St. N., Stillwater, MN 55082.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to:

Ascension Episcopal Church, 215 N 4th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082

Or the Girl Scouts River Valleys Council, 400 S Robert Street, St. Paul, MN 55107