Bloomington, MN - Mary Berndt Lee, age 87, was welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on 7/16/25. She is survived & missed by her loving husband, Bob Lee of 63 years; daughters: Katie Melberg, Betsy (Rob) Bakke, Rachel Lobben; grandchildren: Margaret (Adis) Keric, Ben (Frances) Bakke, Jona Bakke, Zach Lobben, Sara (John) Bickle, Gretchen Lobben, Abbey Lobben; great grandchildren: Wes & Beatrice Bakke; sister, Karen Anderson. She was born Mary Noel Berndt on 12/11/36 in Hartford, WI to Harold & Rosella (Sally) Berndt. Mary graduated with honors from Hartford High School in 1954, where she participated in a variety of choral, forensic & government activities. She attended the U of WI-Milwaukee, earning a B.A. in Music Education in 1958. Even at a young age, Mary was drawn to small children & always desired to teach. Her first job was in Edina, MN & it was there that she met her husband-to-be, Bob. After a fun-filled courtship & short engagement, Mary & Bob were wed in Hartford, WI on 8/3/63.

In 1971, Mary and Bob joined Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mpls. Mary was very active at Mt. Olive and served with tireless energy, passion & love. She taught Sunday School for 25 years, summer Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir & taught Confirmation classes. She coordinated Meals on Wheels & played an instrumental role in Mt. Olive's commitment to a large Hmong family that resettled in the Twin Cities. Mary helped launch Crossroad Preschool at Augustana Lutheran Church in the Phillips neighborhood of Mpls. The school opened for 3-4 year-olds in 1986 and served the needs of families living in one of the consistently poorest neighborhoods in Mpls. This was Mary's calling, her "sweet spot", and she poured herself into & received abundantly from Crossroad Preschool for 13 years. Mary also loved the cabin on Holy Island. Mary, Bob and the girls spent most summer weekends + longer family vacation time on Long Lake. Mary loved to entertain family, friends, church groups, and co-workers at the cabin. In 2009 Mary & Bob sold their cabin to dear friends with both parting tears & thanksgiving for the joys celebrated over 28 years.

Mary and Bob loved to travel, learn & be a part of other cultures, visiting Peru, Turkey, Costa Rica, South England, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic & Austria as well as various parts of the United States. Mary was also blessed to visit the Holy Land with church group. Mary had a beautiful smile, a warm countenance & made room for everyone. Family get-togethers delighted her. During her last 4 years of life, while receiving care at Founder's Ridge memory care, she continued to share her sense of humor, wit, & sassiness w/ the nursing staff, residents & visitors. Those who knew Mary will remember her deep-rooted love & faith in Jesus.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held at 11am on Wed, Aug 20 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3045 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN with a light lunch to follow. A visitation will be held at 10am, one hour prior to the Wed service.