Mary Drinkwitz

Mary Lou Drinkwitz, age 75, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Mary Lou Drinkwitz was born on March 19, 1947 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Howard and Josephine (Doucette) Cogger. She was the fifth of six children. Mary was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marble, MN. Mary grew up in the Snowball Lake Area (Calumet, MN) and graduated from Greenway High School in 1965. After graduation she attended Itasca State Junior College in Coleraine, MN and graduated in 1967. Mary then moved to the Twin Cities where she worked at the First National Bank of Minneapolis.

On June 29, 1969 Mary married the love of her life, Stanley J. Drinkwitz. In 1972 Mary and Stan settled in rural Wheaton, MN and were blessed with their first child (Ryan). Mary then started working at the State Bank of Wheaton. In 1981 Mary and family welcomed a second child (Kiel). In 1997 Mary began working at the Dakota Magic Casino where she continued to work until she was able to retire.

Mary was a member of the White Earth Nation. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and visiting casinos across the area. Throughout her life Mary had a passion for sports. She was a dedicated, diehard fan of the Green Bay Packers. Mary also enjoyed baseball season and the Minnesota Twins. In the summer, Mary appreciated the fresh products from Stan’s garden. In her younger years, Mary also fancied dancing and even perfected her chair dancing as she got older.

Mary is survived by her husband, Stanley Drinkwitz of Wheaton, MN; children: Ryan (Emily) Drinkwitz of Delano, MN and Kiel (Kate) Drinkwitz of Wheaton, MN; grandchildren: Mikayla (Devin), Joey, Bailey, Lily, Sophey, Emma and Jack; great-granddaughter:  Ivy; brother Robert

“Husky” and Lynette “Fern” Cogger; sisters-in-law: Kathy (Bob) Wolbersen, and Janice (Bob) Miller; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws: Joe and Dorothy Drinkwitz; siblings: Carol Hanks, Ronald Cogger, Corrine Carnes, Dennis Cogger; sister-in-law: Jean Anne Ruona; and daughter in-law: Brooke Drinkwitz.

A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 11:00 am at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. John Paul Knopik Celebrant. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 21st from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and one hour prior to service time at the church.

Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton, Minnesota at a later date.