Mary Ellen Niska passed on February 27, 2023 in Gresham, Oregon. She was 97 years old. She was born in Arago, Minnesota on June 22, 1925. She was the 5th of 8 children born to Frank Mitchell and Ellen Garwood.
She grew up on a homestead in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Mary graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1944.
She came to Oregon in search of work. She worked at the shipyards as a welder. She also worked as a waitress at the Triple X Drive in.
She married Robert Niska on November, 4 1945 in Vancouver, Washington. They made their home in Portland, Oregon. They had 68 wonderful years together before Robert’s passing in November of 2013.
Mary is survived by 3 sons Robert (Colleen), Gregory, and Steven (Glenda), 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, 1 brother-in-law Howard Niska, 1 sister Rose Schultz, and many nieces and nephews.
She was a member of The Ascension Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. She volunteered to assemble Braille Books for the blind for many years. She was a great cook and homemaker. She enjoyed many arts and crafts, sewing, painting, playing bunco, dice, and many other games. She was loved by all and will be missed.
A service will be planned in the future.