Mary Ann Gallaher

Mary Ann Gallaher, age 94, of Brownsdale, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025, at Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, Minnesota. Mary was born on December 4, 1930, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, to Franklin and Helen (Estby) Swanson. She grew up on a farm near Byron, Minnesota, and attended country schools. She graduated from Byron High School in 1948. Mary was an active 4-H member, and enjoyed sewing, home canning, and health projects. In 1949 she was named Minnesota State Health Queen and was awarded a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. That same year she also graduated from Austin Teacher Training and began her elementary career in a one room school in the country near Rochester, Minnesota.

On August 20, 1950, she and Richard Gallaher were married at East St. Olaf Church near Rock Dell, Minnesota. Richard was employed at Geo. A. Hormel in Austin. Mary continued teaching near Brownsdale. In 1966 Mary received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University and then taught in Rose Creek, Hayfield, and Brownsdale. She enjoyed working with children and was named to Who’s Who of American Teachers. After 35 years, she retired in 1988. Over those years, she was a Mower County 4-H Leader and a member of Brownsdale Study Club. She and her family were members of Brownsdale Methodist Church and later joined Crane Community Church in Austin where she taught Sunday School for many years.

In the summertime, her greatest joy was fishing on Leech Lake near Walker, Minnesota, with family and friends. Mary enjoyed reading and listening to gospel and country music. She was loving, caring, and so proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary had a full life. She was strong, independent, and a really special Grandma Mary!

Mary is survived by her daughter, Chere (Steve) Rinehart of Indio, California; sons, Grant (Mary K.) Gallaher of Rochester, Minnesota, and Paul (Kate) Gallaher of Silverthorne, Colorado; six grandchildren, John (Renee) Rinehart of Kalispel, Montana, James (Kristen) Rinehart of Coronado, California, Molly (Casey) Gorman of Rochester, Minnesota, Amber (Dylan) Joseph of Rochester, Minnesota, Cody (Payal) Gallaher of Newnan, Georgia, and Kirsten (Stephanie) Gallaher-Main of Colorado Springs, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Willow, Malachi, Wesley, Gretel, Bergen, Lucy, Rosie, Graham, Cole, and Owen; two brothers, Lee Swanson of Adams, Minnesota, and Dick (Nikki) Swanson of Toccao, Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin and Helen Swanson; her husband Richard after 66 years of marriage until his passing on October 5, 2016; brother, Duane Swanson; daughter-in-law Sheila; and granddaughter, Ashley Gallaher.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Crane Chapel in Austin. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Brownsdale. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Crane Chapel or Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.