Lydia C. Maehren

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 22, 2009 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids, MN with Father Thomas Friedl officiating.VISITATION : 5-8 P.M. Friday, August 21, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.INTERMENT : St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Two Inlets, MN.SURVIVORS : She will be lovingly remembered by her four daughters: Ruth Blass of Brooklyn Park, MN, Bernice Maehren of Plymouth, MN, Jane (James) Martinco of Tomahawk, WI and Loraine Stone of Menahga, MN; 7 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and l great great grandchild; her three sisters: Martha Gartner of Park Rapids, Veronica Pasek of Mpls and Sister Carol Jean at Mt. St. Benedict in Crookston, MN; 2 brothers: Albert (Marie) Schroeder of Ogilvie, MN and Alex (Verona) Schroeder of Crosby, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. LYDIA CATHERINE MAEHREN October 21, 1917 " August 18, 2009Lydia Catherine Maehren, age 91, a longtime Park Rapids, MN area resident, passed away peacefully at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Lydia was born in Farming, MN on October 21, 1917 to William and Elizabeth (Behnen) Schroeder. As a small girl, she moved with her family to Northern MN where they settled on a farm near Two Inlets just north of Park Rapids. It was in this same area that Lydia attended country school near her home and grew into womanhood. As a young woman, she helped her parents with the farm work, house work and with her younger brothers and sisters. She also worked for several area neighbors performing domestic chores. On November 18, 1936, Lydia was united in marriage to Ambrose John Maehren at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Minneapolis. This union was blessed with four daughters: Ruth, Bernice, Jane and Loraine. The young couple first made their home in the Minneapolis area where they resided until returning to the Park Rapids area in 1958. Throughout her marriage, Lydia devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade peach pan pie as well as many other delicious dishes. Lydia was an accomplished seamstress who would often work late into the night sewing clothes for her four girls. She also enjoyed embroidering or crocheting numerous gifts for her family and friends. Lydia spent many hours patiently teaching each of her daughters how to sew, embroider and crochet as well. Each spring, she would look forward to planting a large vegetable garden which she would nurture into fruitful abundance to help meet the needs of her growing family. She also enjoyed raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. Throughout her life, Lydia possessed a strong faith and was active at St. Mary"s Catholic Church in Two Inlets and later at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids where she enjoyed many years of worship and fellowship with other parishioners. Lydia endured the heart break of losing her granddaughter, Debra in 2001. Above all, Lydia will be remembered for her devotion to her children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her four daughters: Ruth Blass of Brooklyn Park, MN, Bernice Maehren of Plymouth, MN, Jane (James) Martinco of Tomahawk, WI and Loraine Stone of Menahga, MN; 7 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and l great great grandchild; her three sisters: Martha Gartner of Park Rapids, Veronica Pasek of Mpls and Sister Carol Jean at Mt. St. Benedict in Crookston, MN; 2 brothers: Albert (Marie) Schroeder of Ogilvie, MN and Alex (Verona) Schroeder of Crosby, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Lydia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; 2 brothers: Edward and Joe and her granddaughter, Debra. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Saturday, August 22, 2009 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Thomas Friedl officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday, August 21st at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with a prayer service held at 7:30 P.M. There will also be a visitation at the church on Saturday beginning one hour prior to the funeral mass. Following the service, a luncheon will be hosted by St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Interment will be made in the family plot located at St. Mary"s Catholic Cemetery.