Mary Jane Eidsaune

Mary Jane Eidsaune, beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully on February 22, 2020 in Enumclaw, WA. She was 92.  She was born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota on February 10, 1928 to Fred and Erminie (DeRossier) Bruggeman. Mary was one of eleven children who grew up on a rural farm. She learned to work hard and play hard. Her best childhood friends were her siblings and double cousins. Mary loved to dance and recalled with fondness the old barn dances where farmers and their families would come from miles around. In those days, traveling Polka bands provided the music and the farm families pitched in with sandwiches and beer. After graduating from Thief River High School in 1946, Mary held jobs in the local hardware store and waited tables. Craving a fresh start, she traveled to Texas with sister, Doris and cousin Norma Jean to get jobs and "see the world." The three girls worked hard but Mary admitted they lived on Doris' tips. Meanwhile, they heard there were job opportunities at a little airplane company in Seattle called Boeing. Mary and Doris soon found themselves living in the Pacific Northwest with new jobs and a new place to call home.  Doris introduced Mary to Richard Eidsaune by setting them up on a blind date. She recalled how on their first date he asked her if she had her purse. She wasn't impressed, but he was persistent, and brought her to meet his parents. They fell in love with her too. After a few more dates, she decided he was a pretty good dancer and they might be a good fit. In 1954, they married and began to build a life together. They welcomed their first son, David Wayne in 1955, a daughter, Teresa Kay, in 1957, and another daughter, Dawn Marie, in 1960. She spoke often and fondly about their first little house and the lifelong friendships they forged. They fulfilled their dream of moving to the country and building a new family home with acreage when they moved to the East Hill of Kent in 1962. Mary always took great pride in her home and family. That home was a landmark to those of us who lived nearby with its graceful white columns, porch swing, and flagpole. She was also a great home style cook. Anyone who visited Mary never left the house hungry. She had quite a funny sense of humor and no one escaped her teasing. You never quite knew what would come out of her!  She and Richard enjoyed many hours of entertaining their friends and family in their home. Mary loved her family and logged many miles over the years to spend time with them. She invested in a Timeshare so they could all meet at least once a year together. As a grandma, she took great delight in being generous, supportive, and active in their lives. Anyone who knew Mary has a story of how she touched their lives in a positive way. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Richard, in 1992. She is survived by five sisters: Doris (Hill), Caroline (Norbeck), Mildred "Mickie" (Duden), Marie (Nicholsen), Pat (Jensen); three children: David (Jane) Eidsaune, Terri (James) Walker, Dawn Fuchser; five grandchildren: Michael (Christine) Eidsaune, Mark Eidsaune, Nicole (Logan) Cline, Dylan (Daniela Catone) Walker, and Shelby Walker; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations for Mary maybe made to: Franciscan Foundation PO Box 1502, Suite 610, Tacoma, WA 98401-1502 or by credit card call 253-60-3696 or online https/www.chifranciscan/org/our-foundations/franciscan-foundation/donate-now.htmlarie

There will be a Celebration of Life Service and Reception for Mary Jane on Saturday, March 14, 1:00 pm at Weeks Funeral Home in Buckley, WA, 451 Cemetery Rd. 

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