MaryAnn (Barnard) Lawin

MaryAnn (Barnard) Lawin passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at CentraCare Health in Long Prairie at the age of 89. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Peace United Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Bear Head Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Peace United Church.

MaryAnn (Barnard) Lawin was born on September 10, 1933, in Long Prairie, MN to Ivan and Edith (Plaisted) Barnard. She attended Long Prairie High School and graduated in 1952. During high school, MaryAnn met Larry Lawin and he proposed to her at their senior prom on the Long Prairie River bridge. The couple was married on August 24, 1952, prior to Larry leaving for the service.

While Larry was away, MaryAnn moved to Minneapolis with her sister-in-law, Toots and her family, and worked at Pillsbury. When Larry returned from the service, the couple bought a farm 3 miles east of Long Prairie where they would start and raise their family. The couple was blessed with four children, Rodney, Louise, Lori, and Arnold. She was a loving and attentive mother who even became a part-time mom to many of the neighbor kids. MaryAnn worked at Larson Boats in Little Falls until 1969 when she started working at the school until 1978. After this, she became a financial worker at Todd County Social Services until her retirement. Although she was retired, MaryAnn was requested to work part-time to run the Todd County Fuel Program. She accepted that request and continued to honor it for a few years.

MaryAnn was very involved at Peace United Church; she was on the church council and was the choir director. She was also a member of the Legion and VFW. MaryAnn was extremely proud and honored to be the County Chair Woman for the Republican Party for years. She enjoyed gardening, cross-stitch, bowling, playing Bingo, and going to the casino. Most important to her was her family and she loved spending time with them. MaryAnn was known for her jokes and funny stories and will be remembered for helping others and putting her family first.

MaryAnn is survived by her four children, Rodney (Star) Lawin, Louise (Larry) Evans, Lori (Keith) Jorgensen, and Arnold (Chris) Lawin; grandchildren, Jessica (Steve) Walther, Reginald (Sarah) Lawin, Tanya (Robert) Kucher, Amy Herdrich, Tommy (Kari) Jorgensen, Michael (Missy) Jorgensen, Emily (Mark) Wegner, Daniel Lawin, and Lucas Lawin; 13 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry; sister, Wilma; and brothers, Eldon and Robert.

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