A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ann Leopold, age 99, of Heron Lake, will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake on Friday, December 5th at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in rural Heron Lake.

A visitation for Mary Ann will be held on Thursday evening, December 4th from 5 to 7 PM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a rosary prayer service at 4:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday for one hour prior to the service at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.

Mary Ann Leopold, daughter of Alfred and Louise (Appel) Haberman, was born on February 21, 1926, the first of their nine children to be born in a hospital in Heron Lake, Minnesota. She grew up in La Crosse Township and attended the nearby country school, often recalling the mile-long walks with her siblings and neighboring farm children. When winter weather made the journey difficult, the horse-drawn wagon provided welcome relief. Mary Ann carried vivid memories of her childhood, including the day the family home burned on December 4, 1934, and how neighbors rallied to help when the fire hoses froze in the bitter cold.

On September 3, 1946, Mary Ann married Leonard T. Leopold at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dundee. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and farming. They made their home on a farm outside Heron Lake, where they raised their six children. In July 1987, Mary Ann and Leonard moved into Heron Lake, but the values of farm life remained central to who she was.

For many years, Mary Ann devoted herself to supporting the farm and caring for her family. Later in life, she worked at Fingerhut in Windom, the Corner Café, and the Heron Lake Bowling Alley. Her homemade pies became famous among family and friends.

Mary Ann found joy in the simple, meaningful parts of life: cooking and baking for family gatherings, ensuring no one ever left her table hungry, and mastering the art of kuchen a German pastry she learned from her mother and passed on to her daughter, Suzanne. She loved taking photos and compiling albums that documented the milestones and everyday moments of the people she loved.

A special source of happiness was the time she spent with her sisters. Their gatherings were filled with stories, laughter, and memories that often stretched late into the night. Mary Ann also cherished the friendships she built through her years of bowling, bonds that remained close throughout her life.

Even into her late nineties, Mary Ann continued to cook meals for her children every Thursday and hosted breakfast after church on Sundays, it wasn't unusual for guests outside the family to stop by.

Mary Ann was a devoted member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ladies Aid, and the church quilting group. She was also active in the Senior Citizens group, rarely missing an opportunity to play cards and enjoy fellowship.

The family is deeply saddened not to be celebrating her 100th birthday in February, a milestone she nearly reached. Mary Ann passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in Windom, at the age of 99 years and 9 months.

She is survived by her children: Keith Leopold of Lakefield; Suzanne Leopold of Lakefield; Kevin (Colette) Leopold of Heron Lake; Kraig (Sharon) Leopold of Heron Lake; Kim (Mary Ellen) Leopold of Heron Lake; and Kerry Leopold of Victoria, MN; along with 17 grandchildren 31 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Leonard; her parents; her siblings: Edna Haberman, Marvin Haberman, Clair Haberman, LaVerna Schaffer, Helene Miranowski, Maxine Luft, Reverend Father Clayton Haberman, Elizabeth (Betty) Shea, and Marilyn (Toots) Schaefer and her grandson Matthew Leopold.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her kindness, her hospitality, her faith, and her unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured and the many lives she touched.