Mary Ann Praus - Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel

September 8, 1966 - January 1, 2021


Mary Ann Praus, age 54, of Austin, MN formerly of Richfield, MN. Survived by mother, Ann Marie Praus, siblings, Kate (Jim)Sweet, Tom (Julie) Praus, Trish (Kevin Hohn) Praus, John (Deb) Praus; beloved nieces and nephews and many very supportive friends. Mary loved animals. She was a dedicated 25-year employee of Austin Vet Clinic. Most of all, she loved her family and friends deeply.



18 Comments

  1. Patricia Stevenson says:

    I am sad to hear the news of Mary’s passing. We were locker neighbors in high school and I have very fond memories of her. We had a lot of fun every morning… My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

    • Barb Francis says:

      I met Mary 1.5 yrs. ago through turns Mary Hanke. She was such a sunny person. We shared a love if dancing. She left much too early.

  2. Kelly Rush says:

    The world has lost a wonderful, animal-loving woman. She will be missed. I met Mary at the Austin Vet Clinic and also joked around with her when I saw her at Younkers! She always had a positive, cheerful outlook on life. My condolences to her family.

  3. Dedee Bergstrom says:

    I am so sorry for your loss. I met Mary at Younkers, she and I worked together for a few years till she went back to the clinic. I am sad to hear she has passed the last I talked to her she was doing so well. My deepest sympathy to your family. She was a great and kind person to work with.

  4. JoAnne Fuller says:

    I worked with Mary at the Austin Veterinary Clinic for I think 25 years and she was a very dedicated fellow employee. We at AVC have a very special family bond. She had a wonderful loving heart and was a joy to call my friend.

  5. Pamela Fain-Pribyl says:

    I had the pleasure of meeting Mary through a mutual friend at my home for a grill out. Although I only met her a few times, she was always so pleasant and cheerful. Her smile was beautiful. My deepest sympathy to all her friends and family.

  6. Paddy and Suzie McKeown says:

    Our sympathies to all your family on the loss of a truly sweet lady. When we took our dogs to Austin Vet Clinic, Mary always came to greet us with a big smile and treats for as she said to our dogs: Hi, Pals! She also sent us the most loving, thoughtful note when our dogs passed away. We had the opportunity to attend “puppy” classes with Mary and her baby at that time several years ago, She will be missed by so many people.

  7. Sue Thomas says:

    Mary had a heart of gold…..she loved life, loved her animals and she was a wondeful co-worker. I worked with her for probably 17 years, and she always made us laugh. She fought a hard battle against cancer and she will be missed….. <3

  8. Dr. Mary Hanke says:

    My wish for you is the peace that surpasses all understanding. I loved Mary. She was a JOY to work with, and I worked with her for about 15 years at Austin Veterinary Clinic. She always did her best. She loved her pets and had great empathy for clients and their pets. She always had a smile for everyone at the reception desk, and always great help when I shopped at Younkers. She talked me into yoga classes (my first yoga) after work in Austin, MN. (We both loved it.) We hung out at the Mower County Fair in Austin, MN last year. I remember going to the Surf, in Clear Lake Iowa, to watch Teresa Iverson’s band play “big band” music. We did the swing step with several of the “over 80” crowd. I will miss her, and am proud to call her “beloved friend”. Mary had the gift of premonition, she knew many things before they happened.

  9. Angie Smith says:

    So very sorry for your loss! Mary & I had some very found memories working together.

  10. Ginger Skille says:

    Mary was married to my brother, John for almost 20 years. I enjoyed spending time with Mary. We shared a love of dogs and animals. She was fun to shop with (though could spend way more time browsing than I could). My girls loved Mary and enjoyed when she brought her dog Josie around. She was always supportive of them and their activities. I remember her always being prepared with snacks! I’m deeply saddened by her death. We had stayed in touch. I will miss our chats and talking about books. My deepest sympathy to her family.

  11. Colleen & Jim Praus says:

    Mary Praus was a special young woman who will be missed very much by all ~ family, friends and loved ones. She met life’s challenges and her battle with cancer with her positive can-do attitude, much courage and strength. Although she left us all too quickly, we know she is now at peace, watching over all of us with a special prayer:

    “May the Road rise up to meet you
    May the wind be always at your back
    May the sun shine warm upon your face
    And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His Hand”

  12. Jeanne Haupt Gao says:

    I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Mary and I were childhood friends and I have many memories from both Assumption and Holy Angels. We had a lot of fun – with sleepovers and going to family cabin together. My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Praus and Mary’s family. She was a sweet kind soul and I’m so sorry that she has passed so young. I am sending the Praus family my prayers.

  13. Kim Elsen says:

    My condolences to Mrs. Praus and all of Mary’s family. I have SO many fond childhood memories of our days at assumption and aha and of course the little league fields playing softball. She was a truly kind person. My thoughts are of you all.

  14. annette margarit says:

    I am so sorry to hear about Mary’s passing. I really enjoyed Mary through Holy Angels. My sympathies to the great Praus family.

  15. Nicole says:

    Mary could light up a room. I only knew Mary as a patient but we spent a lot of time together talking about life, pets, and HGTV. I’ll always remember how she would thank me for recycling the cardboard glove boxes when they were empty. I saw her following her transplant and she told me how she stopped by the unit to say Hi to our staff and one of the other nurses showed her pictures of my wedding. She told me how happy she was for me. Her genuine curiosity for the nurses and her kind soul will not be forgotten.

  16. Kevin Zilka says:

    I met Mary years back , just was told of passing tonight. Almost a year later! All I can say is God has another angel in heaven. So sorry she has passed so young.

  17. Peggy Morgan says:

    I also just found out about Mary’s passing a year later!! I knew Mary from Younkers and Austin Vet!! Mary had that special something that wasn’t like every other person!! She was always so caring to my dog Ozzie and so nice to talk to!! I just can’t get over her being gone and have thought about her every day since I heard!! I only saw her occasionally but the world lost a very special person and she truly left her mark!! I know Mary kept her positive attitude until the end!!! It was my blessing to have met her!!!! Her light will always shine bright!!!

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