The funeral service for Mary Margaret Guenther of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Alden. The Rev. Greg Ofsdahl will officiate. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before service at the church. Interment will be at an later date in Alden Cemetery.

Mary died Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center, Albert Lea. She was 79 years old.

Mary was born in Minneapolis on Jan. 2, 1929, the daughter of Emil H. and Florence (Forbes) Martin. She attended school in Hopkins. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a teaching degree.

On June 5, 1954, Mary was united in marriage with Richard Guenther in Hopkins. Mary taught for one year in Manitowac, Wis., before moving to Alden in 1952, where she continued teaching High School English and Spanish until her retirement in 1992. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden and the Albert Lea Elks Club.

Mary enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Mary enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her children, Paul (Mieko) Guenther of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Curtis (Lori) Guenther and their children Evan and Ana of Alden, Jane Kirsch and her children Ryan and Nicole Kirsch of Albert Lea; one sister-in-law Delorus (George) Jacobs of Albert Lea; step brother-in-law Richard (Elaine) Petersen of Clarkfield; and nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Richard in 2004; her parents; sister, Jean Swaser; and brother, Curtis Martin.