Mary “Molly” Cecelia Pingel
Thursday, October 8, 1936
Date of Death:
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Age:
85 years old
Thursday, October 8, 1936
Date of Death:
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Age:
85 years old
Thursday, October 8, 1936
Date of Death:
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Age:
85 years old
Mary “Molly” Cecelia Pingel
Mary “Molly” Pingel, 85, of Kasson, MN, died peacefully surrounded by love on May 15, 2022. Molly was born in Des Moines, IA on October 8, 1936, to John and Martha (Welby) Hurley. She graduated from Assumption Catholic School in Granger, IA. Molly attended Marycrest College in Davenport, IA where she earned her teaching degree in English and Social Studies. In 1959 Molly married Richard “Dick” Pingel at Assumption Church in Granger, Iowa. Molly and Dick moved to Stewartville, Minnesota in 1969.
Molly was active in her community and committed to serving others. She was a religious education instructor and taught English to Vietnamese refugees. She was also a voice for children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. While raising their family in Stewartville, Molly and Dick were foster parents for many infants through Catholic Charities who were later adopted by families. Molly and Dick relocated to Rochester in 1992 after Dick’s retirement. Molly taught young children at the Head Start program in Rochester. Molly and Dick later enjoyed spending many winters at their second home in Sahuarita, Arizona. Since Dick’s death in 2020 Molly resided in Kasson, Minnesota.
Molly was an avid reader. She loved meeting new people, being with friends and family, and playing cards.
Molly is survived by daughters, Paula (David) of Tucson, AZ, Teresa (Patrick) of River Falls, WI, Kathleen (Ron) of Hanover, MN; and sons, Thomas (Kim) of Dodge Center, MN, Daniel (Cara) of Lakeville, MN, Martin (Lisa) of Neenah, WI, and Joseph of Rochester, MN; 16 grandchildren, Matthew, Rebecca, Kayla, Kelley, Erik, Jacob, Jonah, Kari, Keeghan, Benjamin, Ryley, Margaret, MaKayla, Zoey, Emma, Blake; and great-grandchildren, Karmen, William, Lilly, Liam, Jade, and Amelia.
Molly was preceded in death by husband, Dick and sister, Kathleen Geneser.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2022 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester with Father Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the Mass. Burial will be in Pleasant Prairie Cemetery of Rochester. The funeral lunch will be following the Mass.
The family would like to thank Father Tom Loomis, Mayo Hospice, and all the wonderful staff of Fieldcrest Care Center in Hayfield, MN.
Memorials are preferred to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or the Ronald McDonald House.
Condolences
The family of Mary “Molly” Cecelia Pingel has received the following condolences.
My wife Carol and I met Molly when we moved to Rocherster in 1996. Molly worked with Carol at Headstart and we all became very good friends. Molly as well as Richard were trye pillars of the community. Their selfless contributions to the less advantaged and minority communities in Rochester and the surrounding communities was priceless for many who will remember them fondly. Particularly now we could only wish for more for more people with such a sense of commitment to service and inclusion as Molly and Richard. They will be sorely missed. My condolences to the Pingle family, all of whom your mother was always proud of. I know that your parents are now happily together watching over you and all those they touched throughout their wonderful life.
Edgar
First, my sympathy on the loss of your mom, “kids”. You older kids may remember Carl, Louise, Lisa and Joel. Your parents were our best friends for many years and our families got together often. When Carl died and I remarried in 1986, we lost track of one another. One day, probably 15 years ago, my husband and I drove to your Stewartville house, determined to connect again. There was a man on a ladder and he had no idea where your parents had gone. I wish we had tried harder to find them. God grant them eternal life; what comfort to think of that.
Paula, Tom, Teresa, Kathleen, Dan, Marty and Joe,
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your sweet Mom. Molly was a constant in our lives - via Christmases, birthdays, graduations and weddings. I remember Molly coming over after our brother died - leading the charge in getting our house tidied for all the visitors that would be coming. What a calming force she was for us at such a heinous time in our lives.
Molly will be missed by so many - but is now with her beloved Dick, and all those who went before her. What a fabulous woman, and amazing legacy she left you all.
Tom; Beth and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. May the memories of your mother help you through this time of sorrow. Prayers for you and your family