Mary Chase/Hunt

Mary Chase/Hunt, 75, passed away on July 29, 2025 in Austin, Minnesota. Born on October 6, 1949, in Albert Lea to Shirley and Van Chase, she grew up on the west side of town with lots of kids in a new neighborhood that sprang up from a corn field. She attended Sibley Elementary School and was a Girl Scout. Dad Chase was her assistant leader and Girl Scout cookie chairperson. Mary met many of her good friends at Southwest Junior High School. She retained these special friendships throughout high school and beyond.

Mary played clarinet from 6th grade through her senior year at Albert Lea High School. While she was in the Albert Lea High School Band, the band was invited to march in Mason City’s annual North Iowa Band Festival which was a great honor. She, along with her high school friends, enthusiastically supported their friends who had formed the musical group, “The Things To Come.” The band, which had won top honors in a national competition, was enthusiastically welcomed back to Albert Lea. Following high school graduation in 1968, Mary attended Faribault Area Vocational and Technical School for a 1-year program. She later became involved in the Albert Lea Community Band.

Growing up in the Chase kitchen, Mary served as Dad Chase’s “sous chef” when friends were invited to the house for special meals. This experience bolstered her passion for cooking and baking. The family spent vacations in the Duluth/Superior/ North Shore area, and made attending the Minnesota State Fair the highlight of their summer. Mary learned how to can fruits and vegetables from Mom Chase, working around a hot water bath which was a big deal at the time.

Artistically, Mary drew, painted, stitched huck toweling, crocheted a number of masterpieces, did counted cross-stitch and created stained glass art. In 2024, she was awarded a blue ribbon for a painting that was submitted by The Cedars of Austin to the Mower County Fair. Musically, Mary amassed an extensive collection of LP albums recorded by her favorite musical artists, and she attended various concerts along the way.

Mary worked as a graphic artist for two Albert Lea businesses, worked at the YMCA/YWCA when it opened in 1972, worked as a cook, and most recently worked at McDonald’s where she earned her Diamond Jo’s “fun money.”

Mary met Rodney in March of 1979 at Church Offset. They were married on March 14, 1980. During their marriage, Mary and Rodney traveled and took in a variety of sights, attended the 1985 Baseball All-Star Game in Minneapolis, were Minnesota Twins weekend ticket holders, and they annually enjoyed the Minnesota State Fair.

Mary was a huge fan of Diamond Jo’s Casino, Mystic Lake Casino, and she made a number of trips to Las Vegas to take in its casino scene as well. She would have a blast with Rodney and friends, yet did her best to stick to her guns in terms of spending only what she had intended to spend.

Rodney’s backyard gardens were prolific with flowers and vegetables. Mary’s amazing culinary skills turned their vegetables into summer meal treasures. Mary and Rodney’s love for cats never wavered. Rodney estimates that they adopted at least a dozen cats over the years. Their feline brood brought them great joy.

Mary and Rodney marked their most recent anniversary (#45) when they enjoyed a special meal together at St. Mark’s Living on March 14 of this year.

Mary is survived by her husband, Rodney Hunt, sister, Nancy Roth, nephew, Tom Roth (Kellee), niece, Katie Roth (Spencer Wirth-Davis), great-nephew, Henry, in- laws, Julie Hunt, Jeffrey Hunt, Jonathon Hunt and Russel Hunt, and numerous extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Shirley and Van Chase, grandparents, Alice and Charley (Irvin) Andersen and Helen and John Chase, brother-in-law, Steve Roth, and in-laws Mary Hunt and Leo Hunt.

A Celebration of Life honoring Mary will take place on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 1:00 PM, at St. Mark’s Living (Chapel), 400 15th Avenue SW, Austin, MN 55912. Friends and relatives who would like to share memories of Mary during the gathering will be welcome to do so. A reception, featuring birthday cake for what would have been Mary’s 76th birthday, will follow.

Memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of Freeborn County, P. O. Box 423, Albert Lea, MN 56007.

Rodney would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff at St. Mark’s Living for providing professional care, and for sharing their friendship and love with Mary. A heartfelt thank-you as well to the staff at Mayo Clinic Hospice.