Mary Elizabeth Flaa

Mary Elizabeth (Sheridan) Flaa, 88, of Duluth passed away peacefully on Friday, February 9th at Solvay Hospice House surrounded by her loving family. 

Mary was born and raised in Wahpeton, ND to Mae and John Sheridan on January 17, 1936.  Mary attended St. John’s Parochial School and then Wahpeton High School where she met and started dating the love of her life, Raymond “Curt” Flaa.

After her high school graduation, Mary enrolled at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1956.  She began working as an RN in Grand Forks and then eventually in Madison and Duluth.  She supported Curt on his academic journey while also being a wife and mother.

Mary married her high school sweetheart, Curt Flaa, on August 3rd, 1957. They had five children, four daughters and a son.  She eventually left nursing only to excel as a mother, caregiver, friend and volunteer.  She took excellent care of her children and her mother, Mae Sheridan, who moved to Duluth in 1974. She cherished holidays and family celebrations most of all as her family would travel to celebrate at her home.  She also treasured time at the family cabin in Solon Springs and loved to host a good party.  She created many fond memories for family and friends.  She was well known for her loving toasts at each gathering in which she always shared her great love and pride for her children and grandchildren.

Mary was a devoted Catholic and was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Joseph Catholic Church.  She sang in the church choir and created wonderful friendships over the years.  She enjoyed a good card game and joined several bridge clubs.  Her love of travel brought her all over the world with both family and friends.

Her volunteer work included time with Holy Rosary School, the UMD Hockey Blueline Club, and her beloved St. Mary’s Auxiliary.  Mary began her volunteer work at St. Mary’s in 1966 and eventually held many board positions as well as serving as the auxiliary president.  She was a buyer for the St. Mary’s gift shop for over 25 years and dedicated over 8,000 volunteer hours to her many roles with the auxiliary.  She was awarded the Minnesota Hospital Volunteer of the Year Award in 2007 for her service and dedication to St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Mary is survived by her children, Patty (Jeff) Engelsgjerd, Kristi (Marc) Campbell, Debbie (Mark) Steen and Jon (Kim) Flaa; grandchildren, Josh (Michele), Megan and Erik Engelsgjerd, Nick, Noah and Grace Campbell, Ryan, Jacob, Emma and Julia Steen and Griffin Flaa; great granddaughter Eliza Engelsgjerd; sisters Jane (Jim) Meeker, Patty Nordine, Cathy Adams, Debbie (Tom) Marxen along with many nieces and nephews.  Mary was preceded in death by her husband Curt, her daughter Pam, her parents Mae and John Sheridan, her brothers John and Michael and her sister Angela.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 23rd followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E 4th St. Duluth, MN.  A private family burial will occur at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials are preferred and may be directed to Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis Street, Duluth, MN 55811.