Mary Ann Graeve, 91
March 27, 1933-Sept. 8, 2024
St. Joseph
Mary Ann Graeve, 91, died Sept. 8 in the St. Cloud Hospital.
Born March 27, 1933 to Fred and Mary Hesse in Lamberton, Minn., Graeve was married for 67 years to her beloved husband Jim Graeve and had three loving children: Cheryl, Kate and David.
Graeve was the first female child and being the first was something she engaged in in the many different jobs she encountered on her long medical career.
Graeve was the first student hired to teach in her alma mater following graduation and became the first head nurse to form team nursing at Madison General Hospital in Madison, Wis., before the age of 25. And her series of firsts included being the first nurse practitioner in outstate Minnesota.
Her commitment to the community of women carried her to organize and form a women’s health forum while employed at the central Minnesota group health. Graeve was active and involved in nursing service training. And her life of service carried her to donate her body to the University of Minnesota for research and education of students studying medicine.
Graeve was a proud founding member of the “Northern Liberal Ladies”, active in the local DFL party and a lifelong activist and champion for peace and equality.
This is how a few of her beloved family members including her husband Jim want to remember her.
Her son David Graeve and his daughter Iris, shared:
She was truly such an astounding woman. She was head nurse in her early 20s, a healer, drummer, feminist, hard worker, plant lover, amazing cook, protestor, card shark, best hugger, a mother of three, grandmother of two and great-grandmother of one. A healer of many, she will truly be missed.
Her son-in-law Alain Fournier remembers her this way:
Mary Ann had a love of people, nature and all that it entails. She loved and shared her enthusiasm about birds, feeding them and eagerly sharing her thoughts about any newcomers to her backyard feeders. We would share thoughts, photos and notes with each other. She was a strong woman, a feminist reminding me of Rosie the Riveter. Dedicated to her causes, tough and genuine on one side and gentle, independent-minded and compassionate on the other. I like this kind of woman! I will greatly miss her!
Her daughters Cheryl and Kate remember:
Mom brought us great wisdom through life. She passed some of it down and we proudly carry it with us. We are grateful for learning about and loving the great mother earth from her. And although she carried most of her knowledge of healing plants along with her as she passed, we continue to cherish our own gardens of vibrant flowers and delicious, fresh vegetables. And as we think about future seasons, we know the solstice celebrations will be missing her gentle and strong raven spirit in person, but we know that we’ll carry that spirit with us always.vWe love you Mom.
Body purer than a wave.
Salt that washes the line.
The luminous bird flying without root – Pablo Neruda
