Marie Alice Fox, age 77 of Hastings, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, Sept. 14, 2023, with her family by her side.
Marie Alice Shear was born on June 18, 1946, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Walter and Evelyn ( Grant ) Shear. She lived in various cities moving with her father’s job and eventually landed in Hastings, MN where she graduated from Hastings Senior High in 1964. Marie then attended business school and held office jobs in Hastings. She met and married the love of her life, Gary Fox, on April 23, 1966, at St. Boniface Church in Hastings. Together, they welcomed their daughter Mandy in 1968, Teresa in 1971, and Steve in 1972, and raised them in Hastings.
Marie was a stay-at-home mom until her kids went to school full-time, and continued to be active by helping at school as a Title One teacher and story time in the library. She then worked for Smead Mfg. for over twenty years which allowed her to be home after school for her kids, and promptly had a meal ready at 5:15 p.m. every night. After retirement, Marie and Gary moved to Hinckley and eventually Wrenshall, MN. In 2002, Marie received a new title as Nana to her first grandson, Leo. Nana and Papa would make weekly trips down to the cites to visit with family, but we knew the main attraction was to see Leo. In 2004, she became a Nana to her second grandson, Max. Their weekly travels and wanting to be closer to the grandsons led them to move back to the cities eventually coming back to Hastings.
Marie enjoyed traveling with Gary to the Apostle Islands, Las Vegas, Florida, Alaska, London, and their once in a lifetime trip to Italy. She was not one to shy away from fun, she even celebrated her 50th birthday by white water rafting with her friends. Marie was always up for conversation, she loved to talk. She had a laugh and smile that always made you feel heard and understood. Marie was an active member of the YMCA, and loved to read, watch Jeopardy, and go to movies with Gary. No matter what the question was, she was a walking encyclopedia and would have an answer to anyone that asked. There’s no doubt that she would have been a sure bet for anyone as a phone a friend on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Marie was a class act from A-Z. She could always be found at her grandson’s sporting events and school activities cheering them on. Marie was an amazing wife, mom, mother-in law, and nana.
In 2022, she was diagnosed with leukemia. That summer she choose chemotherapy, however, by August her body had just had enough, and she wanted to enjoy her time left not feeling ill, so she decided to end treatment. To everyone’s surprise, she did not get worse but only stronger every day. We were able to enjoy and love her for a whole extra year. She fought so hard and was so brave throughout all the treatments and doctor’s visit. Gary was her constant companion and took the role of caregiver with so much love and attention it was beautiful to see. In these last months, she was very expressive that she does not ever need or want for anything because Gary always took such good care of her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Evelyn; and by her sister-in-laws, Christine Fox, Deborah Shear and Betsy Shear.
Marie is survived by her adoring husband of 57 years, Gary; daughters, Mandy (Julie) Fox and Teresa (Mike) Praska; son, Steve (Penny) Fox; grandsons, Leo and Max Fox and Tucker Praska; brothers, Walter T. Shear, Rich (Helen) Shear, and Bill Shear; brother-in-law, Wally Fox; brother and sister-in-law, Joanne and Jerry Knoll; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father James Notebaart officiating. Private family interment will be held at the parish cemetery.
Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:30 -11 a.m., and to a reception immediately following the Mass, all at church on Saturday, October 7.
In lieu of flowers, Marie’s family requests memorials be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in her memory.
For guestbook and further information, please visit www.hastingsmfuneral.com
Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
