Macken Funeral Home
Mary Chapman, 91, of Rochester passed away Sunday, June 16, 2019 at her residence.
Mary Margaret Fitzgerald Chapman was born August 10, 1927 to Thomas and Irene Fitzgerald. Raised near Preston, MN on a farm near what is now the Old Barn Resort. She was the middle child of three, the other two boys, Thomas and Bill. Mary learned hard work at a very young age. She moved to Rochester after graduating high school and was soon introduced to a young soldier named Eugene Chapman by his mother, Pearl Hall. It must have been love at first sight - they were married six weeks later on December 10, 1945. After eight children and several moves, they settled into a home of their own but not for long... They suffered a devastating tornado in 1962, losing everything. Mary then lost her husband in 1971, leaving her to raise the five youngest kids. In 1978, the flood hit her home taking only the basement. She moved on and then lost one of her daughters.
She was by far the strongest and kindest lady ever and will be missed by many.
Survivors include her seven children, Mike (Betty) Chapman of Nisswa, Kathleen Klees (Val Stevens) of Rochester, Sharon Chapman of Rochester, Jim (Sue) Chapman of Simpson, Gene Chapman Jr. of Rochester, Eileen Montemurro of Mazeppa, and Carol Chapman (Jaime Sanchez) of Rochester; 22 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Bill (Dorothy) Fitzgerald of Rochester.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Mary; and brother, Tom.
The funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2019 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Rev. James Berning officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2019 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
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