Obituary: Mary Ann Meyer, 94, The Dalles

Mary Ann Meyer (Schlichting), aged 94 years, peacefully passed away in her home, on July 20, 2024.  She was born in Minot, North Dakota, on September 29, 1929, to Adolph and Bessie Schlichting (Carlson), which was the first year of the twelve-year-long Great Depression.

Her family moved several times for her father’s job opportunities, which varied from businessman to teacher and education administrator. The family moved to The Dalles just before Mary Ann’s senior year of high school.

Mary Ann came from a musical family and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice.  She was untrained until a junior high music teacher recognized her talent. After school, they worked together to improve Mary Ann's breathing techniques. This teacher was a gift to her future.  After graduating from The Dalles High School, she entered St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she earned her degree in Home Economics. She was the only freshman invited to sing in the renowned 75-voice St. Olaf Choir, the premier traveling a cappella choral ensemble at St. Olaf, and was a member of the choir all four years of college.   This was truly an honor!

 She taught home economics formally for one year in Minnesota after graduating, but then in 1952, returned to The Dalles to marry the love of her life, Wilson J. Meyer-- an orchardist who had many visions and was a Jack-of-all-trades. They had three children together:  Pam, Caryl, and David.  All married, all had children, and over the years they enlarged Mary Ann's role from mother to grandmother to great-grandmother. Wilson predeceased her in 1994, at the age of 81.

 Mary Ann was a full-time farmer’s wife and mother taking on all the duties thereof with energy and joy. She had a work ethic and a knack for an organization that was second to none. She was interested in community and was an active member for many years of the local chapter of the AAUW (American Association of University Women), serving as President for two of the years.

 She was also, throughout her life, an active member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and took pride in her and Wilson being the first couple to be married in the newly constructed building at 10th and Union. In the early years, she directed the children’s “Carol Choir.” Along with her husband, Wilson, they initiated and piloted the teen church youth group in Bible studies with various projects and activities in the new church. She led the church in putting on glorious “Mother/Daughter Teas” for several years with inventive and complex programs to entertain the attendants from the church and community. Later, she presided through the church over the local organization of WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) and was accepted as a lifelong board member. She also presided over the Women’s Mt. Hood Cluster of the ELCA Oregon Synod. She sang with her beautiful voice everywhere and all the time, including in the church choir, continuing to sing throughout the rest of her life up to and including the choir’s monthly performance this past March.

She was an excellent cook and had a Scandinavian background, lefse, flatbrod, Swedish pancakes, and Krumkake were “traditions” and treats all the family enjoyed. Mary Ann had many other interests, hobbies, and talents as well, including swimming, exquisite sewing, and quilting, gardening, the interior design for the two homes she lived in, both constructed by Wilson, and lastly, a new hobby of drying flowers and using them for cards to send for special communications.  Everyone loved receiving those beautiful cards and the wonderful handwritten letters they always contained.  Mary Ann was a gifted and treasured correspondent to many. She wrote as she spoke – her warmth, wit, and love of life and others rang through in every phrase.

 Above all else, her faith and trust in the Lord filled her every day.  She relished Bible study, church services, and daily devotions, and believed in the power of “LOVE.”  From a brief memoir she wrote of her life for Zion’s newsletter, The Voice, in 2020, she stated:  “Love has no bounds.  I pray for Christ's continued guidance through the challenges that we, all of us, face today.  And I pray for LOVE of, and peace for our families, friends, and -- all humanity.”

 Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Fred and Jim, and her beloved husband, Wilson. She is survived by her children Pam (Mike) Riise, Caryl Brewbaker, and Dave (Dana) Meyer; her grandchildren Tanya, Matt, Kelsey (Jake), Erin (Aaron), Dayna (Tom), Brita, Brenna (Bryan), and Luisa (Jaydn); great-grandchildren Kaley, Donovan, Thea, Roslyn, Lara, Liam, Emery, and Rowan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 Mary Ann, you have lived life fully and have been faithful to Christ to the end. You will be forever loved and admired for what you have given us.  Thank you. Rest in Peace.

 A memorial service for Mary Ann will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church, 101 W. 10th Street, The Dalles, Oregon. Memorials in Mary Ann’s honor may be made to Zion and designated towards the music program or quilting group.