Theresa Mutnansky Obituary

Theresa Mutnansky of Bemidji, Minnesota formerly of Goodridge, Minnesota was called home to Jesus at 3 o'clock on Thursday, July 10, 2025 (Divine Mercy Hour) surrounded by her loving family at GoldPine Home Assisted Living in Bemidji. "Oh, for land's sake!" (This was one of Theresa's favorite sayings.)

Mass of Christian burial for Theresa will be held 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Goodridge, Minnesota with Father Bryan Kujawa, Father Dave Super and Father Josh Salonek concelebrating. The Rosary will be recited for the reposed soul of Theresa preceding Mass. Burial will be held at Poplar Grove Cemetery in rural Goodridge, Minnesota.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, starting at 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Goodridge, Minnesota, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Theresa Mary Mutnansky was born May 17, 1930, in Moylan Township, Goodridge, Minnesota, to Erick and Mary (Cullen) Kiesow. She was baptized into the Catholic faith on June 29, 1930. She grew up on a farm near Goodridge. Theresa attended Marshall County Schools through 8th grade graduating on June 16, 1944. Theresa received her GED diploma on May 21,1999 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota at the age of 69.

On August 12,1950, she was united in marriage to Paul Valentine Mutnansky at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Goodridge, Minnesota. (July 16th marks 30 years since the passing of her husband Paul.) To this union 10 children were born: Paulette, Jim, Joe, Jane, Mary, Diane, Bonnie, Patty, Jodi and Paula. The couple made their home in Goodridge Township and later moved to Espelie Township where they raised their family. Theresa was known as "Nanny" and "Mother Theresa" to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and anyone who knew her.

Theresa worked a variety of jobs and volunteered in fields that all focused on the service to others ranging from Catechism teacher, foster parenting within Marshall County, grade school grandmother and foster grandparent (both within the Thief River Falls Public and Bemidji Parochial schools), working at the Goodridge Café, the Steak Knife, the Grygla Cafe, the Grygla Community Center as a greeter and cook, and during her younger years, for the Callahan Family in Manvel, North Dakota. Theresa was an active member of the St. Ann's Catholic Church and very active in the Ladies Aid Guild and a former member of the St. Clement's Catholic Church and the Ladies Aid Guild in Grygla. She attended TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) and Koinonia retreats. She milked the beloved cows, morning and night for decades, ("If you take care of the cows, the cows will take care of you." ~ quoting Theresa) and entertained guests with her God given talent of baking and cooking. Theresa served as an Espelie township election judge for many years. In her spare time, she loved to dance to polkas, waltzes, and two-steps. Theresa and Harriet Bakke, coworker and friend, worked side by side at the Rex Café in Thief River Falls. Theresa introduced her first cousin, August Kiesow, to Harriet and they tied the knot. August and Harriet were lifelong friends with Theresa and Paul. The couples shared many fun times together including numerous trips to square dances. Square dancing was at the top of her list of favorite dances in which she and Paul, along with other couples in the area, created and organized the "Swingin' Squares" square dancing club centered in Goodridge. She was the number one fan of her family's band named "The Mutnansky Family Band". Although she would often leave reminders she had no musical talent, discoveries recently indicate otherwise. Theresa had a beautiful singing voice. Theresa enjoyed sewing and loved hand stitching quilts. Bingo and playing cards were more of her favorite pastime activities. Nanny was the "baby whisperer" and there wasn't a crying baby EVER that did not respond to the touch of her gentle loving hand! The number one focus throughout her life was her Catholic faith. No words can describe her selfless, humble, faithful, prayerful, accepting, viceless, virtuous nature. Theresa was loved by so many.

Theresa is survived by her children Paulette (Timothy) Kassa of Bemidji, Joseph Mutnansky of Goodridge, Jane (Cub) Storlie of Cass Lake, Mary Herried of Bemidji, Diane Kalsnes of Thief River Falls, Bonita (Rodger) Njaa of Wannaska, Patricia (Stanley) Skibicki of Goodridge, Jodi (Joseph) Mayo of Fargo, ND, and Paula (Patrick Young) Mutnansky of Goodridge; grandchildren Anthony (Shelly) Kassa, Adam Kassa, Jennifer Mutnansky, Amanda Mutnansky, Melanie (Matthew) Markuson, Jessica Mutnansky, Kristen (Andrew Peralta) Mutnansky, Eric (Christy) Mutnansky, Shannyn (Jeffrey) Hildebrandt, Benjamin Storlie, Bailey (Mitchell) Drotts, Elizabeth (Ryan Chock) Herried, Aaron Kalsnes, Ali (Brandon) McBride, Zachary Njaa, Joshua Njaa, Dustin (Ashley) Njaa, Dartannian Njaa, Eliza (Daniel) Kiviaho, Jordan Skibicki, and Jacob Mayo; great-grandchildren Ashley, Nathan and Justin Kassa, Deondre Manning, Matthew Busse, Paul, Patrick and Carl Markuson, Evelyn Cochran, Aria Peralta, Samuel and Emma Mutnansky, Brookston and Sandra Hildebrandt, Marshall, Brady, McKinley and Brett Drotts, Bryleigh and Iliana McBride, Ezra and Isaiah Njaa, Noah, Caleb, Abram, Annabelle and Ariel Kiviaho; sister Phyllis Neuschwander of Grygla; sister-in-law Louann (Lappegaard) Kiesow of Goodridge; former daughter-in-law, Arletta Mutnansky of Goodridge;several nieces and nephews; and her Comfort Doll, Kayla.

Theresa is preceded in death by her husband Paul, son James Mutnansky, grandsons Matthew Mutnansky and Austin Kalsnes, parents Erick and Mary (Cullen) Kiesow, siblings Lawrence (Irene Kuznia) Kiesow, Arlyne (Lawrence) Neuschwander, Paul Kiesow, Charles Kiesow; brothers and sisters-in-law Thomas (Marie Breen) Mayernik, Jerome Mutnansky, Vincent Mutnansky, Floyd Neuschwander, Ruth (Ray) Koci, Elsie (Lloyd) Lubinski, Carolyne (Lester) Larson, nephews Dean Kiesow, Keith, Wayne and Dwight Larson, Michael and Patrick Mayernik, good friend, Leonard Moe, and several other extended family members.

The Mutnansky family would like to extend many thanks to the wonderful GoldPine staff and residents. The staff was there for "Nanny" for many years and was a part of her family. Everyone loved Theresa and she loved them.

Theresa Mutnansky left this earthly life at 95 years, 1 month and 23 days. This was 10 days after her baby brother, Charles, passed away. May her memory be blessed.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

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