Mary Cota

Mary Cota, age 92, of Graceville, MN died Friday, December 6, 2013 at Grace Home in Graceville.

Funeral services for Mary Cota, are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN with Fr. David Breu officiating. Visitation Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Graceville, MN.,
with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Burial will be at Graceville Consolidated Cemetery.

Mary Rose Chalupnik was born in Benson, MN on Dec. 2, 1921 to Stiven And Albina Powlish Chalupnik, the oldest of 3 children. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. She grew up on a farm in New Hradec, North Dakota and attended the Green River School District, completing the 8th
grade. She and her family moved to Minnesota and farmed in the local area.
She was united in marriage to John Cota on April 9, 1947. To this marriage 4 girls were born: Marcella, Diana, Donna, and Julie.
Mary and John lived on a farm in the rural Graceville area. She was a very hard worker and helped on the farm with chores and in the fields while raising a family. Around 1957 they moved into Graceville. This was a special neighborhood as Mary's brother, Joseph and family along with her sister, Mildred and family lived on the same block. The Bohemian language was spoken amongst them, and especially when they didn't want their children to know what was being said. She raised a large garden, canned vegetables and fruits, butchered chickens, cleaned ducks, pheasants, and fish and made her own soap all the while keeping her home very neat and clean. Hot breakfasts of bacon and eggs or cooked cereals were served frequently. Dinners and suppers included her specialties of beautifully browned turkey, fried pheasant with gravy, and crispy fried fish, homemade chicken and vegetable soup, Bohemian dishes, and desserts like doughnuts, lemon pudding, and apple and lemon pie. No matter what time of the day or night a full lunch was served to her visitors. She sewed many of the clothes her children wore along with items for her girl's and grandchildren's dolls and toys. She carried her sewing, cleaning, and cooking abilities to the Holy Trinity Hospital where she worked for many years in the sewing, laundry, and kitchen departments.
Mary enjoyed listening and dancing to old time music, watching TV, writing letters to keep in touch with her sister, Mildred and other relatives, and visiting with others. After she retired, she and John played bingo, took casino trips, and visited with their families. After John died, she played cards with a group of ladies taking turns playing at each other's homes sometimes into the late hours of the evening.
Mary's faith was an important part of her life. No matter what she and her children were doing, when the Rosary was broadcast over the radio in the evenings, everyone stopped and prayed it. In later years she watched Sr. Angelic, praying the Rosary with her, or prayed by herself every evening. Her children were enrolled at St. Mary's Academy and then at the Holy Rosary School in Graceville to receive a Catholic education. Mary attended Mass faithfully. She had her prayer cards and books tucked by her during the day when she rested on the couch in between watching game shows, the soapies, and, of course, the weather and news.
Mary's family was another important part of her life. Her family held a special place in her heart. She loved holding and caring for the new babies, buying them a blanket when they were born, and mending it as it wore. "God bless you." and "I pray for you every night." was included in all the cards she sent to her family. She was her families' "Prayer Warrior". Grandkids will always remember the crayons in the "Velveeta" cheese box, the toy container under the bed, the "Fish Game", homemade Christmas stockings with their names on them in glitter, and grandma's stash of candy.
One of the saddest days of her life was when she had to move out of her home after losing her sight. She passed away at the Grace Home on Thursday, Dec. 5th, with her family at her side. This was 4 days after a large family gathering honoring her a day before her 92nd birthday on Dec. 2. She will be loved and cherished by all her family.
Mary is survived by her daughters: Marcella (Donnie) Andrews of Graceville, MN; Diana (James) Andrews of Alexandria, MN; Donna Jipson of Graceville, MN; and Julie (Jeff) Fuhrman of Bemidji, MN; son-in-law Dennis Jipson of Graceville, MN; 13 grandchildren: Christy, Amy, Derek, Sarah, Valorie, Patty, Leah, Kayla, Adam, Amber, James, Rachel, and Andrew; 32 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and family.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, John; parents Stiven and Albina; brother Joseph; sister Mildred; and grandson, Bryan.