Mary M. Ward

The world lost a beautiful soul the morning of July 8, 2024, when Mary Margaret (Haberman) Ward, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, was called to a better place. She was 85.

Mary was born Oct. 31, 1938, to Constance and Lucy Haberman of Lime Creek, Minnesota. She loved to tell stories about growing up on the farm with her seven siblings. Mary’s mother passed away suddenly when she was only 12. That deeply shaped who Mary would become — her strong, resilient, and hardworking nature, as well as her close bond with her younger sister, Donna, who she helped raise from there on out. She graduated from Fulda High School in 1956. 

Mary met Kearn Ward, the love of her life, at a dance hall in Avoca, Minnesota in 1954. They connected instantly. From that moment on, they were the perfect dance partners — and, it turned out, partners in life. Even when Kearn left to serve in the U.S. Army, neither of them forgot about each other and they rekindled their relationship when he returned. The two married on Oct. 11, 1958.

The couple built their life in southwestern Minnesota and were blessed with four children: Lori, Dale, Lynn, and Jodi. For 17 years, they called Pipestone home, where they were active volunteers with the Hiawatha Pageant. The Wards later headed north to Forest Lake in 1980, after Kearn was promoted to a new position with Skelgas.

Over the years, Mary held a number of jobs, but her biggest passion was selling and collecting antiques. She and Kearn were antique dealers for nearly two decades. Mary took great pride in their booth at the Lindstrom Antique Mall — from the little treasures she picked up from garage and estate sales around the Twin Cities, to the pricing and how all of it was displayed.

Mary’s endless stories, tenacity, generosity, and love for her family will never be forgotten. There was nothing she loved more than cooking delicious meals for a houseful over the holidays and for other family events. More than anything, she treasured every minute she got to spend with the family she built with Kearn: their four kids, seven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. She always said their family — and their devotion to one another — made her feel like the luckiest person alive. And that she was.

In her free time, Mary also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, refinishing furniture, and hunting down a good deal. She’ll also never be forgotten for her loving smirk and the healing powers of her warm hugs. You could always count on “Gram,” as her grandkids lovingly called her, to make you feel better.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Kearn; her children, Lori (Jeff) Carstensen, Dale (Cindy) Ward, Dan Ross, and Jodi (Greg) West; her grandchildren, Dean (Katie), Cory (Andrea), Shawn (Jill), Jessica (Josh), Amber, Alex, and Sami (Jake); great-grandchildren, Austin, Tyler, Wren, Abigail, Haley, Christian, Tatum, Jayden, and Bryleigh; her sister, Donna (Ron) Raatz; as well as countless other family members and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Lynn Ross, her parents, Constance and Lucy, and her siblings, Bernice, Ramona, Connie, Leonard, Clarence, and Evelyn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 12, 2024 at the Church of Saint Peter, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, Minnesota.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass at the church.  Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake, Minnesota.

Mary will be dearly missed and will always be in our hearts.