Mary Lind

Mary was born at home in rural Orleans, Minnesota on October 4, 1916. Her parents are Kashmir and Martha Wallenberg Smolak. Mary and her family attended Holy Rosary Catholic Church in rural Orleans. One of the many stories Mary told of her life was remembering how she and her family traveled overland by buggy and sleigh to attend mass.Exactly how large Mary's family was has been lost to time and failing memories, but it is believed she had eighteen brothers and sisters, not including the five babies that died as infants. Mary was the last to leave us.Mary attended rural schooling as a youth, and attended through the 8th grade. She worked the fields and milked cows to help support the family, and as a young woman, she continued to work as farm labor in neighboring communities. It was while working at another farmstead she met Jerome Howland of Charter Oak, Iowa. They were married July 6, 1936.The couple made their home in Iowa, continuing to work on farms, and raising their sons and daughter; Jerald, Jerome Jr., and Mary Lou. Eventually the family returned back to NW Minnesota, farming briefly in Lancaster before moving to Hallock, where James was born.Mary was widowed on August 6, 1966. She continued to live in Hallock until she met Einar Lind and was remarried on July 3, 1971. She moved to rural Lake Bronson, MN where Einar farmed. After many years, Einar semi retired and they moved to Lake Bronson until Mary suffered a stroke in 2003. She was able to return home only briefly before Einars' health demanded they both move to skilled care facilities. Mary was again widowed on October 22, 2006. Shortly after Einar's passing, Mary moved permanently to a nursing facility in Moorhead to be closer to her remaining family.Mary leaves 4 children, 18 Grandchildren, and 13 Great Grandchildren.Mary's family extends an invitation to gather for fellowship at the Hallock Senior Citizen Center following the interment service.