Mary Zeruey Walsten

Mary Walsten passed away July 3, 2026, at the age of 95 in Rush City, MN. She was born March 15, 1931, in Taylors Falls, MN to Calvin and Minnie (Parks) Carpenter.

Mary was the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Forest Lake High School in 1949. She worked on the farm with her parents as a child. After graduation she worked in Minneapolis at the Federal Land Bank, Gale’s Variety store, First State Bank of Rush City, White Oak Phone Company in Rush City, McGuire’s Law office in Rush City. She was a member of the William Taylor Cemetery committee.

She married Roger Walsten on September 6, 1955, and together they had six children (Cindy, Dale, Janet, Marlyn, Lois and Neil). She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and counter cross stitch. Her biggest joy was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her children Cindy (Phil) Thompson, Dale Walsten all of Rush City, Janet (Jeff) Jacobson of Willow River, Marilyn (Christopher) Bretoi of Lino Lakes, Lois Walsten of Woodbury, and Neil (Lillian) Walsten of Rock Hills, South Carolina; grandchildren Jerry (Sue) Thompson, Amy Thompson, Marty Thompson (Sam Zmuda), Justin (Stacy) Jacobson, Travis Bretoi, Jasmin (Peter) Lindberg, Christine Smith; great grandchildren Karyn Thompson, Pyper Zmuda, Lucy Thompson, Liam Jacobson, Wyatt Jacobson, Ajax Jacobson, Vera Jacobson, Jamie Smith Jr, Manny Smith, Diego Smith; many nieces and nephews; and special friend Jeanine Fairbanks.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Calvin and Minnie Carpenter; husband Roger Walsten; brothers Emery (Opal) Carpenter, David (Ginger) Carpenter, Calvin (Odie) Carpenter, Charles (Donna) Carpenter; sisters Mable (Les) Baxter, Effie (Nels) Peterson, Luelle (Dean) Poe and many other family members.

A memorial service for Mary will be held: 11 AM; Saturday, July 18, 2026 with a visitation one hour prior to the service, all at the Olson Funeral Chapel of Rush City. Interment will take place at William Taylor Cemetery of Rush City. A luncheon will follow the interment at the Rushseba Town Hall, 51533 Forest Blvd, Rush City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the: Rush City Fire Department, Box 556, Rush City, MN 55069.

Our family wishes to extend a special thanks to the St. Croix Hospice Team.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral And Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com