Mary McQuiston, age 70 of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by her family on August 9, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester after a battle with cancer. The McQuiston family will greet friends on Sunday, August 13th from 3-5pm and Monday from 10-11am all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 S. Marschall Road, Shakopee. Celebration of Life service will be Monday, August 14th at 11am at the Funeral Home. Mr. Dave “Shorty” Affolter will preside. Private interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery where Mary will join her husband, James. Pallbearers will be Woody Affolter, Vince Olson, Paul Olson, Chris Logan, Alex Dean. In Lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
On August 4, 1947, Howard and Helen Affolter welcomed the birth of their daughter, Mary Virginia. She was the fourth oldest of seven children. She grew up in Lydia on the family farm. At a young age her parents gave her a horse whose name was Tony. She loved riding Tony until the horse fell into a hole and she landed on a pile of snakes. Needless to say, her riding days were over. She attended Lydia Elementary School and later graduated from Jordan High School. She excelled in academics and was a high school spelling bee champ.
She met the love of her life in James McQuiston. They confirmed their vows and were married in St. Paul on June 2, 1973. From 1975-1995, the family lived on Spring Lake where Mary truly enjoyed the water. They later moved to New Prague as Mary knew that she would get bumped up on the waiting list for the New Prague Country Club, where she could continue her love for golf.
Mary loved her waitressing jobs. She first worked at the airport and then moved to Denny’s Restaurant where she waitressed for 20 years. Later, she was a flight attendant for Pinnacle, which later merged with Delta.
She was an avid reader, Twins and Vikings fan and loved tending to her flower and vegetable garden, when she wasn’t at the casino. A special part of Mary’s life was spending time with her grandchildren, especially her grandson, Marshall, as she would attend his special Olympic events. She was even the honorary grandma for the rest of the team.
She was a member of the Riverbend Car Club, Packard Car Club, Lone Pine golf course ladies and couples League, New Prague golf course ladies and couples leagues.
A selfless, caring woman who put others first, she will be deeply missed by her children, Deb Exum, Joe Sandberg, Donelle (John Krautkremer) McQuiston; grandchildren, Elizabeth McNaughton, Austin Krautkremer, Marshall Erickson, Nicholas Krautkremer, Jesse McNaughton; siblings, Conley (Laura) Mediger, David “Shorty” (Trudy) Affolter, Stanley Affolter, Kevin (Sherry) Affolter,Susan (Alex) Hamre, Diane (Mike) Olson; sisters in law, Mary M. McQuiston, Betty (Jerry) Cameron, Colleen (Vic) Shuss and many nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James on January 11, 2000; parents, Howard and Helen Affolter; parents in law, Harold and Katherine McQuiston; niece, Amy Affolter.
The McQuiston family is being served with care and honor by Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation.
