Mary "Molly" Fields

Mary “Molly” (Finley) Fields, kind mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away August 4, 2024 from complications of pneumonia following cancer treatment. Molly will be lovingly remembered for generously sharing her time and talents with others. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Woodland Hills Funeral Chapel in Mankato. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Internment for both David and Mary (Molly) Fields will follow the service. www.woodlandhillsfh.com

Molly was born in Minneapolis on September 23, 1949 and grew up with her eight siblings on Lake Minnetonka. Molly met David Fields at the roller rink in LeSueur MN. They were married August 23, 1969. They were married in Excelsior with a family reception at the Old Log Theater. The settled in David’s hometown of North Mankato. In 1988, they began building a new home in Mankato in anticipation of the arrival of their fourth daughter, fulfilling their dreams to adopt.

While raising her children she attended technical school, became an LPN, and worked at Immanuel St Joseph hospital for 30 years. She was actively involved with Holy Rosary CCW, the Renew program, Riverbend TEC, and Loyola Catholic School. Molly had a career-long involvement with the MN LPN Association/AFSCME that lasted into retirement.

Following retirement, Molly and David moved to Pequot Lakes and she sought ways to continue her volunteerism, love for experiences, and build on her faith by attending Timberwood Church where she loved the garden club, bible study, and being a greeter. Her most fulfilling role was as a caretaker, and she was able to use her nursing background while tending to David through his illness. After his passing in 2019 she moved into Baxter, and enjoyed art classes, coffee with her friends, and bus tours and other adventures, including an unforgettable trip to Ireland with her siblings. Molly began volunteering at Essentia Health - St Joseph Medical Center (Brainerd) in oncology. She was a beloved volunteer and looked forward to the opportunity to “wear the red vest” and found her time there fulfilling and rewarding. In January of this year the volunteer became the patient and yet she still restocked the coffee counter when she came her own appointments. She joined St Francis, where she had come to return to her Catholic roots and enjoyed both faith communities.

Molly is survived by her daughters Rebecca (Greg) Grunig, Catherine (David) Nelson, Patricia Fields, and Sook Ja Nam (Brandon Hensley); siblings Patsy (Jerry), Kathy, Sally (Bob), Joseph, Lorrie, and Marnie; grandchildren Tyler Cromwell, Gauis and Acoya Hensley; three step-grandchildren, Brandon Grunig, and Michael and Dylan Nelson; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, David; her sisters Judy and Rosemary; and her parents Mary Patrice and Edward.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to the Schola Foundation at Loyola Catholic School, Timberwood Church for Care Ministry, or Essentia Health Foundation.