Mary Ellen Probst

Services will be held Thursday, May 27, 202110 a.m. - 11 a.m visitation11 a.m. serviceSt. John the Baptist Catholic Church632 S. Broad StreetMankato, MN 56001

Courageous, fierce, strong, caring, kind, amazing – there just doesn’t seem to be enough adjectives to describe this incredible woman, mother and wife.

Born October 15, 1943 to Raymond and Regina Goettl, she grew up, graduated from Good Council Academy, got married and became a mom.

This woman didn't know the meaning of the word “no” and she didn't know how to quit. Raising three daughters on her own, she always made them feel special. She loved them fiercely and showed them what true courage was.

After all, anyone who would drive from New York to Minnesota in a green AMC Gremlin with three young kids, her mom and a carsick poodle had to be courageous!

She gave her daughters a great life, providing for them by working at Heinz Pontiac Cadillac, Coughlin Brothers and spending 24 years working in Human Resources at Minnesota State University – Mankato.

She was blessed to have found incredible love, not once, but twice. She married Eugene Kamas in 1984. They had 17 amazing years together until his passing in 2001.

In 2005, she met Dan Probst (and since his birthday was the same day, August 4, that Gene died, we like to think he sent him to her). The joy and happiness she found with him over the last 15 years give meaning to the word soulmate.

For anyone who ever wondered if there could ever be an actual “Wonder Woman”, Mary was it! She had an infectious smile and laugh, a giving, caring heart, an average golf game, and she would never turn down a glass of wine!

Her family was always at the core of her life. Husband Daniel Probst, daughters Lori (Doug) Fuller, Amy (Tony) Kamarainen, Nikki Kachelmeier, step-daughters Karen (Tim) Walsh and Chris Maki. And her grandchildren who brought her so much joy – Sam and Tommy Fuller, Adara and Brynn Kamarainen, Austin and Jake Kachelmeier, Andrew, Alex and Ethan Walsh, Kaarina Maki (Tony Salazar Mejia).