Mary Agnes Landaas

Mary Agnes (Andersen) Landaas was born December 6, 1923 to Lionel and Alvilde (Petersen) Andersen at the family home. She was baptized and confirmed by Rev. A.C. Korsrud. She was a lifelong member of Round Prairie Lutheran Church. She attended a one-room school through 8th grade and then graduated from Albert Lea High School. While there she was assistant pianist and sang in the Glee Club under the direction of L.J. “Cap” Emmons. She also took private piano lessons from him. After graduation Mary attended Hamilton College in Mason City, IA, and was employed in the office of Jacob E. Decker & Sons. In late 1942 she moved to San Francisco, CA where her future husband was in the army. She was employed in the office of Standard Oil of California. On December 5, 1942 she was married to Alfred Landaas in a military wedding at the Ft. Scott chapel in the Presidio, near the Golden Gate Bridge. In 1945 Alfred was transferred to Gainesville, TX. There she was employed as a nanny and housekeeper for the Secretary-Treasurer of the American Palomino Association. In 1946 Alfred was discharged from the army and they moved back to Albert Lea where she was employed in the office of Wilson and Co. In 1948 they moved to their farm in Freeman Township where they lived for 58 years. They raised three children so she was a stay-at-home mom, the best job of all.
During those years she was active in several organizations and held offices in the church Ladies’ Aid, Circle, SE Minnesota Lutheran Women, Emmons PTA and Band Boosters, St. John’s Auxiliary, and was also a Sunday school and vacation Bible School teacher. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren in many sports, band concerts, school plays, and equestrian events. Some of her favorite activities were playing hand chimes with the Round Prairie Chime Choir and playing piano/organ duets with Helen Holstad for many years. Her favorite was having all her grandchildren come to her house at Christmas time and make gingerbread houses, which they did for many years. In 1975 Mary began working as a travel guide for the Minnesota Tourism Bureau, and was given a Minnesota Employee of the Year award. She retired from there in 1991.
Survivors include her children Robert (Carol) Landaas of Southern Pines, NC, Jean Hage of Austin, and James (Julie) Landaas of Gaylord; grandchildren Jason (Kelly) Landaas, Bryan Landaas, Michael Hage, Jennifer Hage, Theresa Rasmussen, BJ  (Shelly) Landaas, Nathan (Karla) Landaas,  and Aaron Landaas; many great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; and special niece Karen Callahan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alfred, infant son Richard, great-grandchildren Cody and McKenzi, brothers Marion and Ingvart Andersen, sisters Olive Werderitch, Hazel Doyle, and Mildred Bergdale.