Mary Beth Blegen

Blegen, Mary Beth
Age 72, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 25, 2016, surrounded by family. She is survived by her three children: Kristy (Dan) Grigsby, Mark (Kristin) Blegen, and Sarah (Nick) LaBelle; her magnificent seven grandchildren: Jack, Sawyer, Amelia, Krin, Lyv, Kaia and Siri: her sister, Jeanne (Colin) Conner and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Rachel Wait, her brother, Curtis Wait and her nephew, Erik Wait. Mary Beth was born and grew up in Chamberlain, SD and graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. She started teaching in Worthington, MN in 1967 and taught there for 30 years. In 1995 Mary Beth was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year and was named National Teacher of the Year in 1996. After three years of working in Washington, D.C. for the Department of Education, she returned to her beloved home of Minnesota and continued the work she loved, inspiring teachers and leadership in St. Paul Public Schools. Mary Beth's greatest joys were being a selfless mom, a Grammie, a sister and a friend. People were her passion: listening, inquiring, caring, and seeing the best in everyone. She loved her home: her garden, her birds, her cozy space, and everyone who walked through the door. Memorial Service Friday, January 29, 11:00 A.M. at GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH, 700 Snelling Avenue South, St. Paul. Visitation Thursday, 4-8 P.M. at the church.