Maria Read

Ruth Elin “Maria” (Olson) Read, age 96, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, surrounded by her loving family at Ecumen-Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes.  A celebration of her life will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2018, at the Ecumen-Emmanuel Chapel, with a time of gathering beginning at 12:30 pm.

Maria was born on December 28, 1921, to Ruth Caroline (Larson) and Oscar S.H. Olson in Holmesville Township, MN.  She grew up in Holmesville and attended school in Districts #77 and #87 rural school.  She graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1939 and went on to earn her teaching degree at Moorhead State Teachers College.  She taught elementary school at District #77, the Baker and Ulen School Districts, and at Rossman Elementary in Detroit Lakes.  She was united in marriage to Clyde Read on June 21, 1958, and they resided in Detroit Lakes. Clyde worked as an independent truck driver and Maria continued to teach as well as help her mother, Ruth run an elder care boarding home, but chose to leave teaching to raise their three children. In 1978, the family moved to Pelican Rapids, where she worked as a registered nurse’s aide at Pelican Rapids Nursing Home until they both retired. After the children were raised and Clyde’s death in 1990, Maria returned to teaching as a Foster Grandparent, reading to local school children.

Maria had a heart of gold and loved helping others as a caregiver and as a prayer-warrior.  She had a passion for knowledge and was always expanding her mind.  At nights she enjoyed listening to radio shows and was also an avid reader.  After her sight failed, she found pleasure in audio books.  Maria was a member of various ladies church groups and retired teachers groups.

She is survived by her children: Carol (Dan) Dockter of Leonard, MN; Kevin (Mindy Lybeck) Read of Rochert, MN; and Carmen (Ed Froemming) Schmoll of Detroit Lakes, MN; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clyde; her parents, Oscar and Ruth; and a great-grandson, Chase Johnson.

Memorial preferred to the Ecumen Memory Care Renovation Fund