Mary Jo Brion, 72, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Mary was born July 15, 1953, in Moorhead, MN, to Joyce "Mimi" Smith and the late Gene Fredrickson.

She married her first husband, Bob, and together they raised four children. Years later, she found the love of her life in her second husband, Larry Brion, whom she lost in 2020, a loss she carried with her for the rest of her days.

Mary spent many years working alongside her family at the Forest Lake Restaurant before later working the service counter at Super One Foods.

Mary was by any measure, a total sports nut. She rarely missed a Twins game, cheered hard for the Timberwolves (with a not-so-secret soft spot for Naz Reid), followed the Lynx faithfully, and loved a good round of golf or match of tennis.

In her earlier years when she wasn't watching sports, she was probably beating someone at Trivia or Pictionary, or on the Atari or Wii, often alongside her sister and her best friend Vicki. They spent many nights together with the oldies playing in the background, along with Barry Manilow or Barbra Streisand.

Above all, Mary was a mother who made sure her children always had everything they needed even when it wasn't easy. She was a very hard worker who faced life with a strength her family will always remember with love and gratitude.

Mary is survived by her mother, Joyce "Mimi" Smith; siblings Kathy Loff, John Fredrickson (Debbie), Jennifer Wilhelm, and Deb Lee (Jim); her four children, Melissa Roberts (Shannon), Bobbi Soule (JP), Gene Soule, and Kerry Braun (Matt); and three grandchildren, Layn Soule, Giana Roberts, and Mya Roberts.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Brion; her father, Gene Fredrickson; sisters Judy Williams and Vicki Wallgren; and brother Jim Fredrickson.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood and the Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale for the wonderful care Mary received in her final days.

A graveside burial service will be at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, at 11:00 am, followed by a celebration of life from 12:00–3:00 pm at the Forest Lake Steakhouse in Grand Rapids, on Saturday, July 18th, 2026.