Mary Lou Bunce, age 87, of Cambridge and formerly of Deer River, died February 15, 2021 at GracePointe Crossing. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 PM Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 15 1st Ave NE, Deer River, MN 56636. Luncheon will be served following the service at the Deer River Town Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 15 1st Ave NE, Deer River, MN 56636.
Mary Lou Bunce (Box), of Cambridge and formerly of Deer River MN, died peacefully at the age of 87 on Monday February 15, 2021.
Mary Lou was born in Deer River in 1933, the #6 child of Tom and Molly Box. She lived there and graduated from Deer River HS, class of 1951. On June 16, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Deer River, she married Albert Bunce and for 64 amazing years was happily and lovingly married. Mary Lou and Al settled in Richfield where they made good friends and raised their family. She was a Mother to 3 children: Patty (her favorite), Tom (her favorite), and Pam (her favorite) which then led to her becoming Grandma of 8 wonderful grandchildren (Laura, Michael, David, Nicole, Jack, Molly, Samantha, Sarah) and great Grandma to Marshon, Jr.
After Al retired they moved back to Deer River and started a 22 year tradition of spending the winters making more friends and having fun in Yuma, AZ. It was in Yuma that she and Al developed a talent for working with stained glass. That talent resulted in many beautiful pieces of art, including a window in the chapel at the Deer River hospital and three beautiful religious pictures that hang in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Over the years she gifted many stained glass pieces to family, friends, and charitable causes in the area.
She and Al then moved to Gracepointe Crossing in Cambridge. It was there that she lived her last 4 years, becoming part of a supportive caring community of people whose compassion and warmth allowed her to live her final days with dignity and peace. We are thankful for you all.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Molly (Grossell) and her 9 brothers and sisters; Lenore Champlain, Mildred Moore, Robert (Bud) Box, Georgia Ann Meade, Jack Box, Nancy Walsh, Janet Hentges, John Box and Sally Evans.
She lived a life filled with family and friends, she was always determined and maybe just a tad sassy (in a good way!) with the motto of “Where there’s a will, there’s a way!” Gracious, grateful, and appreciative of life’s gifts….she will be missed greatly and remembered fondly by many friends, family, and especially Al.
To Molly’s daughter from Marion’s daughter.
Mary Lou was the best of our extended family in a small package. We saw each other rarely but each time it was to pick up on a visit without much of a pause. As I look at the slides I remember seeing her as a young bride and thinking how lovely she was, so happy. As I see the slide of her in her gown I’m reminded of the comment someone had made about her coming out of a shed in her wedding gown and she said, “thats not a shed, its my home”. She was strong, confident and lived a good life. Much love to Al and their entire family. RIP cousin.
Karen Figgins Clark,
Al. So sorry about the passing of Mary Lou. I have some wonderful memories of you two. You have my deepest sympathy. Betty Eliason
Very sad to hear about Aunt Mary Lou’s passing. She was a gentle soul and very talented as well; I am fortunate enough to have received as a gift one of the beautiful stained glass creations she and Uncle Al made.
It was always enjoyable to spend time with Mary Lou and I will miss her. I will definitely plan to attend the memorial service, and my deepest sympathies go out to Uncle Al, cousins Patty, Tom, and Pam, and the entire extended family.
So sorry to hear of Mary Lou’s death, she is probably one of the cousins that I knew the best, in fact, she and I roomed together in Grand Rapids when I worked up there for about 3 months at the hospital. I wish to extend my sympathy to Al, Patty, Pam and Tom. I will be attending the memorial on Saturday.