ROCHESTER -- Mary Elizabeth Andress, 93, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Maple Manor Health Care and Rehabilitation in Rochester.

Mary was born June 27, 1916, to Nelson and Mima (Spalding) Warren in Rapid City, S.D., and grew up in West Union, Iowa. She graduated from Saint Marys Nursing School in Rochester. Mary proudly served in the U.S. Army as a surgical nurse from 1943-1945. Her unit, the 43 General Hospital, participated in the invasions of North Africa, Italy and Southern France.

Mary returned to Rochester in 1951 and worked at Saint Marys as a private duty registered nurse for many years prior to joining the staff of Rochester State Hospital, from which she retired in 1976. A longtime resident of Country Club Manor, Mary enjoyed gardening and bird watching.

Mary is survived by two children, Jim (Catherine) Andress of Atlanta, Ga., and John (Laurel) Andress of Nerang, Australia; a niece, Betty (Ernie) Smith of Dyersville, Iowa; and a nephew, Warren Gilson of Rockford, Ill. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dorothy Gilson.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in West Union, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary Andress may be made to Seasons Hospice, 1811 Greenview Place S.W., Suite 110, Rochester, MN 55902.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., Rochester. (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.

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