Mary Esther Speener

Mary Esther Speener passed away peacefully with family by her side at United Hospital in St. Paul MN on October 31, 2024. She was 79.

Mary was born on April 24th, 1945, the youngest of 5 children to Hank and Carm Buendorf near Kiester, MN. She grew up in the area, graduated from the Kiester school system, and moved to Minneapolis to begin work. While in Minneapolis, she was introduced to James Orr and were soon married. Three sons were born to the couple while moving between California, Wisconsin, and Michigan. James and Mary divorced while living in Antigo, WI. She lived there for many years, and eventually married William Speener. She soon moved back to Kiester to be near her family, and Mary and William divorced. She spent the final years of her life living with her son Bill in Cottage Grove, MN.

Mary had many small careers in her life, such as Sunday School teacher, church secretary, factory worker, bartender, and others. Outside of work, Mary’s interests were in her collections, her projects, her pets, her gardens, and the Green Bay Packers. Mary took on all of the challenges with a big smile, a distinctive laugh, and a personality that everyone warmed to.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Hank and Carma Buendorf, brother Clifford Buendorf, sister Bonnie Hochreiter and former spouse James Orr. Mary is survived by her brother Daniel Buendorf and sister Clarine Elvebak, former spouse Bill Speener, and sons Bill Orr, James Orr, and Russell Orr, as well as 6 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary did not want a formal funeral service. Her ashes will be spread on the family farm near Kiester in the future.