Mary Laverne West, 60, Luverne, died Sunday, June 2, 2019, at the Sanford Clinic in Luverne following an eight-month battle against lung cancer.
Mary was born on January 29, 1959, in Kentucky. She said that, as a child, she never had toys and that they played with the mud and sometimes even ate the mudpies they made. Mary started fishing with her Daddy as soon as she could hold the pole. We believe that Mary's father worked as a coal miner and at some point she moved with her family to Indiana. Mary had one brother, and another brother who died at birth, and four sisters. Her father died when she was around 13 years old and as a result her family was dispersed.
Mary traveled much in her life, living and working from coast to coast. Whether it was as a caregiver, a food server, a grocery clerk, a gas station attendant, a hotel employee, or as a laborer in a hog barn, Mary worked hard and she always gave her best. She considered her special skills to be cooking, cleaning house and cleaning fish.
Mary was especially proud of her GED diploma, which she earned at age 52. Mary knew SO many people and seemed to always remember their names. Mary was a daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, auntie, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, mother, companion and a friend.
Mary rarely complained. She enjoyed many things, such as gardening, having coffee or some beers with friends, playing slot machines, watching scary movies, spending time with her family and her step-grandchildren, whom she treated as her own. Mostly she enjoyed simply fishing with her family and friends.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Monica, of whom she was so very proud. Grateful to have also shared her life are her longtime companion, Cliff Enninga; her little dog, Petey; and a number of friends.
Mary did her best, and now she is at rest.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
(0613 V)