It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear sister, Mary Ellen Juhnke, on February 4, 2025. Mary Ellen succumbed to the ravages of COPD.

A graveside service for family, friends, and neighbors, will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 2:00 pm, at Saint Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Comfrey, Minnesota with a reception to follow at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Comfrey. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given to charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Comfrey. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Mary Ellen was born May 5, 1944, to William and Madeline (McPhee) Juhnke at the Comfrey Hospital in Comfrey, Minnesota. She graduated from Comfrey High School where she excelled in speech and drama activities along with marching band as flutist and drum majorette. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota.

Mary Ellen’s forty-year professional career as a large-scale property manager in the San Francisco Bay area was distinguished. Throughout her California years, she remained a steadfast fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. Her continuing joy was following careers of the athletes who were residents of her properties. Her long-term interest in many kinds of knowledge made her a life-long Jeopardy viewer who frequently outscored the contestants, particularly if the questions were about the royal families of Europe.

After retirement, Mary Ellen returned to the family home in Comfrey. Her vast knowledge and her keen sense of humor will be missed by all who knew her.

Mary Ellen is survived by her siblings, Movane Smith of Portsmouth, Virginia, Toni Cannon of Saint Johns, Florida, and Thomas Juhnke McPhee of Comfrey, Minnesota; niece, Sharon Cannon; nephews, Jeffrey (Cheryl) Cannon, James (Janet) Cannon, and Jay (Erica) Smith; great nephews, Andrew and Liam Cannon and Tyler and Colin Smith; and a host of other relative and friends.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and brothers-in-law, Dennis Smith and Patrick Cannon.

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