Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Mary Hays Callaghan Wanninger, 90, of Edina, MN, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Dr. Lester Wanninger; her children, John (Carrie), Jimmy, and Katie (Brad Smith); and her grandchildren, Lexie, Ellie, Callie, Lilli, and Finn. She was preceded in death by her cherished brother, Lansing (Helen), and is survived by her beautiful sister, Janie (Larry Pederson).
Born July 2, 1935, in Duluth, MN, to Dr. Desmond Hays and Martha Callaghan, Mary grew up in Hayward, WI. She graduated from Stanbrook Hall High School and earned her degree in Public Health Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine.
Mary began her career helping organize the first polio vaccination campaign in California’s East Bay, immunizing over a million people in one day. She later served 25 years as Nursing Director for Children’s Services at the Minnesota Department of Health.
On December 29, 1962, Mary married Les in Hayward on a 40-below-zero day warmed by love, champagne, lobster at Charlie’s, and a night at the Curtis Hotel. Together they raised a family, traveled widely, and filled their home with laughter, friends, and legendary Christmas celebrations.
Mary loved shopping at Dayton’s, writing, reading, puzzles, and music, especially Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, and polka. She was never without her lipstick, always stylish, and had a passion for football and golf. Her sparkling wit, unforgettable cackle, and ability to laugh hardest at her own jokes made her truly one of a kind.
Visitation at 10 AM before the funeral. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mary can be made to Methodist Hospital.
