Mary Graf Olinger, 85, of Freeburg, MN died Friday, January 20, 2006 at home surrounded by loving family.

She was born December 14, 1920 to John and Margaret Graf. In 1938 she graduated Valedictorian from the Loretto High School in Caledonia. She graduated in 1942 from St. Francis School of Nursing, La Crosse, WI. as a Registered Nurse. Mary then joined the Army Nurse Corp in 1942 during World War II. She was assigned to the 113th General Hospital and served there on the desert at Ahwaz, Iran for 3 1/2 years.

Following service in the Army, she was employed at St. Josephs Hospital Milwaukee and Gunderson Clinic, La Crosse. In 1969 she came to work at the Caledonia Nursing Home, Caledonia. as an RN, remaining there for 15 years.

She was a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Brownsville and the Caledonia VFW.

She is survived by her husband Harold Olinger, her daughters Bonnie (Arthur) Wehrmann of Louisville, KY, and Louise (Ed) Parks of Colorado Springs, CO, two grandchildren; sister-in-laws Jean Olinger Schiltz and Marion Graf, also many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her only son who died at the age of 52. James Olinger; two sisters Loretta Houlihan, and Rose Rita Klein; and a brother Francis Graf.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 23 at the St. Patrick?s Catholic Church in Brownsville with Fr. Gregory Leif officiating. Burial will be in the St. Nicholas Cemetery in Freeburg with military rites by the Caledonia VFW. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. McCormick Funeral Home in Caledonia is assisting with arrangements.