Maralyn Alice Flinner

Maralyn Alice (Spenny) Flinner passed on to glory on August 14, 2022 at Valley Ridge Presbyterian Homes in Burnsville, Minnesota with her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter at her side.  Having celebrated her 90th birthday with her family in May her final months were blessed by dedicated healthcare staff and visiting family. Preceded in death by her husband Jack Flinner and sister-in-law Gladys, she is survived by her two brothers Edward Spenny (Emilie Odde), David Spenny (Deb Veeder), her children Mark Flinner (Wendy), Anita Flinner-McCaffrey (Thomas), Andre Flinner (Michelle Anderson), her grandchildren Alicia, Aaron, Brandon, Alexander, Nicholas, Janelle, Alyssa, Kayli, Chloe, her great-grandchildren Tegan, Raven, Braxton, Aiden, Isabelle, Levi, Theodore and Michael.  

She was born in Paducah Kentucky to Lorin and Anita Spenny where she began her life as a ‘tomboy preacher’s kid’ who spent her school years in the Covington, KY and Cincinnati, Ohio area assisting in the household, riding horse at her aunt and uncle’s farm, playing in the surrounding woods, riding the streetcars and playing in orchestras and bands.  Later, graduating from Wittenberg University, she married and began her career teaching music in Illinois and directing choirs, playing organ and piano until starting a family and moving to Springfield, Ohio.  Then in 1969 the family moved to Mankato, Minnesota where she began teaching piano lessons, adjusting to the cold and enjoying summer vacation trips, camping and the outdoors.

She relished going to symphony concerts, plays, discussion groups, watching birds and wildlife, growing flowers and vegetables, knowing everyone’s name, meeting people from all backgrounds, and reading.  During her time in N. Mankato she was a devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato and First Lutheran Church in St. Peter singing in choir, worshipping and supporting Christ’s mission on earth.  Additionally, in her later life she and Jack traveled to interesting areas of the world, feeding her love of travel.  Maralyn was tenacious, inquisitive, energetic and strove to see the best in everyone.

Memorial service will be 2:00 pm Saturday, August 20, 2022 at First Lutheran Church, St. Peter. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. To view the livestream or leave a condolence, visit her obituary at www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers or memorials please donate to:National Audubon Society or Alzheimer’s Association.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.