Mary Catherine Kline

Mary Catherine "Mary Kay" Kline (nee Carroll), 89, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 15th, 2025 surrounded by family and friends. Mary Kay was born May 3rd, 1935 in St. Paul, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helen (Path) Carroll; her husband, Robert "Bob"; her beloved son, John; and her grandson, Dusty.

Mary Kay is survived by siblings, Terry Carroll, Helen Massey, and Maureen Winstead. She is the devoted mother to Michael (Kelly Larson), Patricia (Mike Shivers), Brian (Shari Ellert), John, Joanne (Nick Gudka), Steven (Jeanine Gadbois), Julie (Richard Chadwick), and David (Julie Ericson) and doting grandmother to 17 grandchildren.

Mary Kay grew up in the Lake Como neighborhood and graduated valedictorian of Derham Hall (CDH) High School class of 1953. While obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and English at the College of St. Catherine, she met her husband, Bob. Mary Kay graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1957. After graduation, she married and began her career as an English Teacher in South Bend, Indiana. Mary Kay enjoyed teaching for forty-six years at schools including St. Jude of the Lake Catholic School, Mahtomedi Middle School, St. Casimir Catholic School, and Trinity Catholic School.

Mary Kay was a dedicated caregiver to her family, her aging parents, and her cousin, Carol. She spent countless hours creating lessons for her grandchildren to enhance their English grammar skills and foster a love of reading. She enjoyed cooking large family meals and serving an over-sized piece of apple pie. She loved traveling, reading, swimming, gardening, the theater, and most of all spending time with her family. Mary Kay was always a friend to wayward animals. Over the years she welcomed horses, ponies, dogs, cats, ducks, chickens, hamsters, sheep, a billy goat, and a cow.

Mary Kay was a social butterfly and a hostess extraordinaire. In 1959, she and Bob moved to North St. Paul. They joined the Church of St. Peter where they made lifelong friends with their Bible study group. In 1967, she and Bob moved to Stillwater and became active members of St. Jude of the Lake Catholic Church. She was a natural entertainer, an avid story-teller, and the life of the party who will be lovingly remembered and forever missed.

In 2023, Mary Kay moved to Arbor Glen Senior Living where she was very popular, embraced a vibrant social life, and made fast friends. She delighted in winning candy at Bingo, listening to live music, and participating in historical trivia. We would like to thank the amazing staff at both Arbor Glen and Brighton Hospice for their loving care of our Mom.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Jude of the Lake Catholic Church in Mahtomedi, MN on Friday, June 20, 2025. Visitation starts at 10:00am, Mass at 11:00am followed by a luncheon, and burial at 1:30pm at Lakeview Cemetery.