Mary Ann HindahlDecember 30, 1929 - August 6, 2017Bloomington, Illinois - Mary Ann Hindahl, 87, passed away on August 6, 2017 at her residence at Luther Oaks in Bloomington, Illinois. She lived a long, productive and gracious life.Mary was born on December 30, 1929 to Albert Janssen and Pauline Marshall Lessen in Hartsburg, Illinois. She was the second child of six, and the oldest daughter. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Hartsburg-Emden High School in the spring of 1947. As a girl she took an active role in helping her mother with the management of their home and large family.She met John Scott Hindahl, a farm boy from San Jose, Illinois at a dance in Emden and they were married June 5th, 1949. John was a Navy veteran, and attended college at Milikan University in Decatur. Mary worked to help support the couple, and though she never attended college; her kids are convinced she had the intelligence, work ethic and skill to have pursued any career, from accountant to doctor, to world history professor.The couple moved to nearby Bloomington when John started his career with the then fledgling State Farm Life Insurance Company. Through his long career, Mary served as homemaker and social hostess for the many events they held in their home, making many friends along the way.Their first child Susan, died just weeks prior to her expected birth date, but their strong Lutheran faith sustained them through this tragedy, and they went on to have 3 more strong, healthy children: Michael, Patricia (Trish) and David (Dave) from 1952 to 1957.The family lived briefly in Berkeley, California, then few years in Birmingham, Alabama, where Trish and Dave were born, and then in Salem, Oregon, where the kids were raised over a 16 year stay. Mary was instrumental in creating a love of music, art and education in her children, insisting that they learn to play some sort of instrument and sing in the church choir. The family was active members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Salem, where they made many life long friends. She also encouraged her kids to pursue sports, and always attended the sporting event, regardless of weather or other commitments. In all of her kids' endeavors, whether they be academic, artistic, or athletic, she was constantly supportive and encouraging. In 1973, John, Mary and Dave moved back to Normal, Illinois, where John finished his career as the Vice President for Life underwriting for State Farm. Being back in the Midwest, Mary played an active role in helping her aging mother, and mother in-law, as well as John's disabled brother Richard, as their health declined.On retirement in 1989, the happy adventurous couple traveled the world, visiting China, Europe and other places around the globe. They split time between their Illinois and Florida homes, being active and social member of Bloomington and Sugarmill (New Smyrna Beach, FL) Country Clubs. Wherever they went they continued to make close friends. They both loved to golf and continued to be active in their church and golf communities, wherever they went. Every summer they would travel for two months to Illinois and Washington to be near Trish and Dave and their families. Mary was a loving and involved Grandmother, expressing her deep love and fondness for her grandchildren in every way she could. Mary and John eventually moved back full time to Luther Oaks Senior Living Facility in Bloomington, Illinois, to be closer to Trish as they fulfilled their dream of growing old together. Even though their physical abilities waned, as they aged, their deep love for each other only grew through the years.Mary is preceded in death by her husband John, son Michael, her parents, brothers Roy and Paul Lessen and sister Doris Greig. She is survived by sisters, Carol Olson and Evelyn Armstrong, daughter Trish (Dale) Kruse of Normal, IL and their sons John of Trout Lake, WA and Michael of Tacoma, WA, and son Dave (Robin) Hindahl of White Salmon, WA and their children Aurora of Spokane, WA and Liam of Olympia, WA.Mary loved to garden, watch movies with her friends, golf, travel and socialize. Her strong Christian faith sustained her through many of life's' trials and allowed her to continue to be a cheerful optimistic, loving person to the end. Although she struggled with Scleroderma, an autoimmune disorder, she remained upbeat and positive about the life she has led. A funeral service will held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bloomington on August 19, 2017 at 10 AM. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Rev. Peter Weeks. Interment will be in Allen's Grove Township Cemetery in San Jose, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and the Scleroderma Foundation ( Scleroderma.org. 300 Rosewood Dr. Suite 105, Danvers MA 01923)Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com