Mary Olivia Novotny

Mary Novotny, age 90, of Alexandria, died Saturday, August 1, 2015. A funeral service will be held 11:30 AM, Monday, August 10, 2015 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Sunday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria and also one hour prior to the service at church. OBITUARY Mary Olivia Wright was born July 21, 1925 in Flasher, ND, the daughter of Estel and Gunhild (Sakrison) Wright. She grew up in Flasher where she graduated from high school. Following high school Mary was selected to attend teacher’s training in Bismarck, ND. She began teaching at Raleigh, ND in a one room schoolhouse. She taught for five years and had classes between three and seventeen students. On June 13, 1945 Mary married Ed Novotny; she had known Ed since they were toddlers together. The couple made their home in Flasher and were blessed with seven children. In 1951 Ed’s work brought his family to Ortonville, MN, Morris in 1958, then Ashby, MN. In 1967 they moved to Alexandria, MN where they have continued to reside. Mary had a knack for business and became a buyer for the Boatworks in Alexandria. Later she worked as a buyer for Bellanca Aircraft and Fingerhut. Mary also ran her own antique booth in various antique shops; she knew her antiques well and was skilled at judging the value of glassware. Mary also worked in retail and the catalog department at J.C. Penney’s. Mary was active with the Bethesda Church women’s groups and the Eagles Auxiliary. In later years she enjoyed going to a casino with Ed, when time permitted. Mary loved sports, particularly Minnesota Gopher sports and was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins. Ed and Mary made it a point to support their children in all the events in which they participated. For Mary, her family and children were very important to her. Mary was able to recently celebrate her 90th birthday and seventieth wedding anniversary with her husband Ed, her lifelong friend and husband. On Saturday, August 1, 2015 Mary died at the age of ninety years. She was preceded in death by three sons, Ryan, Eddy and Mark Novotny; granddaughter, Lisa Novotny; daughter-in-law, Nancy Novotny; son-in-law, Garry McMullen; and brothers, Dean and Bob Wright. Mary is survived by her husband, Ed Novotny of Alexandria; daughter Anita McMullen of Alexandria; sons, Claire Novotny and wife, Marlene, of Dalton, MN, Gary Novotny of Coon Rapids, MN and Bryon Novotny and wife, Jill, of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Matthew Novotny, Allison Quintana, Laura Lyght, Kari Novotny, Mark Schroeder, Matthew Schroeder, Jennifer Beams, Nicole Novotny and Crystal Inderlee; ten great grandchildren; brothers, Martin Wright and wife, Josephine, of Flasher, John Wright of Helena, MT and Francis Wright and wife, Gladys, of Beulah, ND; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 11:30 AM Monday, August 10, 2015 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Jerry Lanes will officiate. Interment will follow in Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Sunday at Anderson Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service at church Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.

Mary Olivia Novotny

July 21, 1925 - August 1, 2015