Mary Frances Thoemke

Mary Frances (Dannecker) Thoemke

Age 84

Wife, Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma

September 12, 1941 - August 9, 2026

Mary Frances Thoemke died with loved ones by her side on August 9, 2026. A longtime resident of Saint Paul's North End and Rice Street community, Mary was, above all else, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and advocate whose quiet determination shaped the neighborhood she called home for decades. Guided by her deep Catholic faith it is fitting that she died on Sunday, the day of the Resurrection. Mary's life was one of strength, conviction and loving service.

Mary was born September 12, 1941, to Edmund and Anna Mary (Bauer) Dannecker, in Saint Paul, MN. She attended high school at Our Lady of Peace in Saint Paul. Her family owned Dannecker's Grocery on Randolph in Saint Paul, and it was here that John Thoemke asked her out on their first date while she was ringing up customers in the checkout lane.

On Valentine's Day 1960, Mary became engaged to the love of her life, John, and the two were married on September 3, 1960, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 64 years. Together, Mary and John raised fifteen children, each one, in her words, "unique, caring, and loving."

Mary's love of storytelling carried her from motherhood into a career in community journalism. She served as editor of the North End News and later wrote for the online Twin Cities Daily Planet, covering education, health, and labor issues important to her neighbors. Her writing was always in service of the community she loved.

That same devotion to community led Mary and John to settle in the North End, where they raised their family and worked tirelessly on behalf of their neighbors. Later, at Arlington High School, her work in the Guidance Office supported students with inspiration, guidance, and compassion. She cared deeply about the immigrants of our community.

Mary's proudest civic achievement was her nearly thirty-year campaign to bring a new library to the Rice Street neighborhood, a dream fulfilled in 2002.

After many years supporting Rice Street businesses, she was proud to open JMT Subs with John and her son Joe and won over many fans of Grandma Mary's Cookies. Later, she became President of the North End Business Association.

As her children grew and started families of their own, she proudly and lovingly cared for her grandchildren. With boundless energy and unwavering support, she attended sporting events, concerts, plays, graduations, and parties at every opportunity. It brought her great joy to see her grandchildren and celebrate their special moments. She cared for her daughter Laura with extraordinary devotion, advocating for her needs and celebrating every moment. In her later years, she lovingly cared for her husband John, tending to him with patience, tenderness, and unwavering commitment. These acts of care were not burdens to her, but expressions of the deep love that defined her life.

Mary is remembered as a woman of deep faith, boundless love, and quiet strength - a caregiver, an artist, an activist, a leader, and a storyteller whose presence shaped everyone she met. Her legendary resilience and the inspiration she offered will continue to guide her family and her community for generations.

She is survived by her children: John D. and Cheryl Thoemke; Barbara Thoemke; Michelle Thoemke (Tom Cooper); Chris Thoemke (Darcy Darrah); Angela and Roger van der Puije; Tom Thoemke and Amy Brockman; Kara Thoemke; Steve Thoemke; Elizabeth and John Stansky; Rebecca McClure and Andrew Merz; Laura Thoemke; Nick and Sarah Thoemke; Joe Thoemke; Dominic Thoemke; and Catherine Thoemke (Truman Olson).

Her grandchildren and great‑grandchildren who brought her endless joy: Christine and Scott Fitzpatrick (Kai Thoemke‑Hart, and Ziggy, Thea, and Brynn Talamhan); Mary and Marty McCabe (Eloise and August); Claire and Robert Kennedy (Catherine and Elizabeth); Aspen Cooper; Autumn Cooper; Dylan and Katrina Thoemke; Tessa Erickson‑Thoemke and Shawn Klesk; Jakob Erickson‑Thoemke; Isaac Erickson‑Thoemke and Jessica Timpane; Rita van der Puije and Lake Montie; Kofi van der Puije; Tyler Meyer; Felix Meyer; Ezra Hoon; Joey Hoon; Logan Anderson; Siiri Anderson; Damon Thoemke; Peyton Thoemke; Luke Stansky; Owen Stansky; Kayleigh and Taylor Lawrence (Emelia, Noah, and Hazel); Gracelyn McClure and Nick Rogness; Madeline Merz; Grace Merz; Marshall Merz; Jackson Thoemke; Tyler Thoemke; and Cash Thoemke.

She is also survived by her sisters Alice Kelly, Jane Eschenbacher, Greta Doyle, and brother Ed (Sue) Dannecker; brothers-in-law Peter Thoemke and Joe (Jana) Thoemke; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, John; brothers‑in‑law Mike Kelly, John Eschenbacher, David Thoemke, Paul Thoemke, and Mark Temke; and sisters‑in‑law Phyllis Webb, Kathleen Murphy, and Sylvia Dannecker.

A Vigil will be held on Thursday, August 13, Visitation hours from 5 - 8 pm at Bradshaw Funeral Home (1078 Rice St, St Paul, MN). Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Frances Thoemke will be held on Friday, August 14, at 11:00 at Church of St. Bernard (187 Geranium Ave. W, Saint Paul, MN)

Interment at Calvary Cemetery following funeral mass.

Memorials to Saint Bernard's Church (https://stbernardstpaul.org/) or

MORE (https://www.more-empowerment.org)