Mary Holgerson

The success of the Holgerson children grew out of the dynamic character of their mother, Mary.Her careful guidance built a sense of success and loyalty for each of her children.

Mary Holgerson was born in Geneva, Ill. and husband Harry hails from Chicago.
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"With all these kids, I de- cided to do something outside the house so I got involved in the community," Mary said.

Her organizational involvements include the Girl Scouts, Meals On Wheels, St. Joseph's PTA president and a host of fund-raising groups that have been successful under Mary's guidance.
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Mary says she might have been chairman of "this or that but I could never have done it without the kids, all of them."

"My mother has been called a diamond in the rough, very classy but down to earth," explained Mary Anne.

"Damn I was good," joked Mary."I organized everything and my kids were the gophers.I could never have done all my fundraisers without them."

Mary was on the Girl's Club board for years.
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"With so many kids, we had our own park and swimming pool," Mary said."Harry dumped two tons of sand for the sand box in the back yard and he brought home a Navy life raft for their pool.There was never any shortage of friends."

In her golden years, Mary has not slowed down.Currently she is chairing a wine tasting event for Meals on Wheels set for 1 to 5 p.m. July 13 on Bay Street.