Mary Marie Fahning

Mary Marie Fahning (Washburn) of Dodge Center, Minnesota, died peacefully on July 5, 2011 at Season's Hospice in Rochester, Minnesota.

Mary was born on January 15, 1933 in Beloit, Wisconsin to Harry Washburn and Clara Belle (Lathrop) Washburn. She grew up in Spring Valley, Minnesota with her parents and brother, Richard Washburn. Mary graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1951 as salutatorian.

After high school, Mary attended Winona State Teacher's College. Upon her graduation from Winona State in 1955, Mary taught English, Elementary Music, and girl's Physical Education in the Dodge Center Minnesota school district.

Mary met Gerald Fahning in 1955 when they lived in the same rooming house in Dodge Center. They married on June 8, 1958. In 1959, Mary formally retired from teaching to raise her children. Although she often said her parents urged her to choose teaching because it was on the few professions open women at the time, she maintained a deep love and respect for the profession. While she stopped teaching full-time in 1959, she never really stopped teaching. As a homemaker, she taught as a substitute in Dodge Center and neighboring schools and taught swimming lessons for many years at the community swimming pool.

Mary loved to read, especially mystery novels. She also had a passion for history. Every family vacation included stops at historical sites in the locale. Her interest in history lead to her hobby of collecting antiques. She loved exploring area antique shop and auctions, hoping to discover some treasure. Often, only she could appreciate the potential of her treasure, which would be revealed after she repaired, refinished and/or reupholstered it.

Gerald and Mary raised three children, Paul (Wendy), Beth Hanggi (Ralph) and Barbara Lauer (Dan). While her children were growing up, Mary was active in the parent-teacher association, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at the Dodge Center United Methodist Church and was an active 4-H leader. Gerald and Mary enjoyed playing cards. She looked forward to her Thursday Bridge and 500 clubs.

Marry often said that her prime job as a parent was to teach her children to live independently. As her children grew and reached their independence, Mary began working as secretary for Gerald's insurance business. Around 1990, Beth joined the,, and they operated Fahning & Associates since. Mary enjoyed crossing the Main Street from Fahning & Associates for her daily coffee break with her regular group of ladies. She delighted in sharing the exploits of her three grandchildren, Heidi, Chad and Hannah, who often wondered why so many people from Dodge Center knew all about them.

Visitation will be held on July 16, 2011 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 110 West Main Street in Dodge Center, Minnesota. Mary's funeral will be held July 17, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dodge Center United Methodist Church, 20 1st Street NE in Dodge Center, MN. Mary's family requests that memorials be sent to the Dodge Center United Methodist Church where Gerald and Mary attended for many years, or the Spring Valley Historical Society, which among its activities operates her grandparents' home, the Washburn-Zittleman House as a museum.