Marie Sophia Querna passed away peacefully to her heavenly home on Saturday, February 22, at New Richland Care Center. She was 98 years of age. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 26, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN. The Rev. Dr. Kristen Venne and Reverend Charles Espe will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church, from 10-11 a.m. Interment will be in St. Olaf Cemetery, New Richland. Military honors will be accorded by the New Richland Legion and Waseca Honor Guard.
Marie was born May 14, 1921, on the home farm near New Richland, the first daughter of Rudolph and Hannah (Sunde) Querna. She graduated from New Richland High School, attended one year of Albert Lea Junior College, and went on to complete her diploma nursing degree at Naeve Hospital School of Nursing in Albert Lea. She started her career working at the Albert Lea Medical Arts Clinic. She volunteered and served her country as an Army Nurse 1st Lieutenant was assigned to Schick Hospital, an orthopedic hospital for returning WWII injured soldiers in Clinton, Iowa. Following the end of the war, she returned to the Albert Lea clinic where she was head nurse. Dr. Whitson, the surgeon Marie worked for, always said her job was waiting upon her return. She is remembered by a fellow nurse with this quote: “Marie was the utmost symbol of her profession. She has been a guide and an inspiration.”
Marie made her home in New Richland after retiring from 45 years of devoted service to nursing at the Albert Lea Medical Arts Clinics. She volunteered for the Naeve Hospital Auxiliary and the New Richland Care Center; belonged to the service club, Wa-tan-ye, and several nurses’ clubs. Marie was a founder of Telecare in New Richland, making phone calls to check on those living alone. Marie was a very active lifetime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church serving on the Church Council twice and the Altar Guild for 15 years.
She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Marie was very close to all of her nieces and nephews, and never missed sending birthday cards to them. She traveled to Norway twice with her sister, Dorothy, to visit and connect with relatives in the extensive Querna and Sunde genealogies.
Marie is survived by 12 nieces and nephews, Jon Hovland (Char) , Steve Hovland (Corinne), Mark Hovland (Deb), Christine Hovland Suprenant (Tom), Ann Hoffman Cox (Liscom), Pam Querna Pokorney (Dave), Paul W. Querna (Karen), Rick Querna, Mary Querna Yerhot (Bob), Patty Querna Drake (Ron), John Querna (Wendy), and Mark Querna. There are 23 grandnieces and grandnephews, and 33 great grandnieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Harriet Hovland, Dorothy Hoffman, and brother, Paul S. Querna; in laws, Elmer Hovland, Orval Hoffman, and Pat Querna; one nephew, Craig Hoffmann; and one grandniece, (Angela Marie Pokorney). She also leaves many other cousins and friends who will sadly miss her, yet will remember her positive attitude, generosity, and kind spirit.
Marie’s nephews will serve as pallbearers: Jon Hovland, Mark Hovland, Paul Querna, Rick Querna, John Querna and Mark Querna.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff at New Richland Care Center and St. Croix Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Croix Hospice, New Richland Care Center, Trinity Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.
Blessed be her memory.