Mary Ann Clara Portner, 83, passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Mary Ann was born July 26, 1943, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, to Raymond and Marina (Frericks) Brau. On June 4, 1963, she married the love of her life, Delmar Portner, in Lucan, Minnesota. Together, they built a life centered around family, hard work, laughter, and an open door.

Throughout her life, Mary Ann worked at New Ulm Telecom Company, Quick Mart, Dittrich Specialties, and Ridgeway on German. But her greatest work and greatest pride was her family. She and Delmar raised five children: Dan (Darla) Portner, Sandra (Steven) Quiring, Cindy (Allen) Wendinger, Kelly (Michael) Murphy, and Tom (Erin Jensen) Portner.

Mary Ann was the matriarch of her family – the person everyone could count on and the one who somehow always seemed to know what was needed. She taught generations of her family how to cook without a recipe, how to play cards, and, perhaps most importantly, how to show up for the people you love.

She was deeply principled and lived her life by the values of trust, loyalty, independence, and family. Mary Ann did not conform to what others wanted her to be. She knew who she was and stood firmly in her convictions. She taught the women in her family to be strong, independent, and relentless. She was especially proud to see her daughters build businesses of their own, including Sisters Bridal & Tux and Sewing Seeds Quilt Co.

Grandma and Grandpa’s home was always open. Family and friends could walk through the door without an invitation and know they were welcome. Mary Ann graciously opened her home to family members who needed a place to stay, sometimes for extended periods of time. She was always there to listen at the end of a long day, offering a comfortable place to land and a fridge stocked for whatever – or whoever – might show up. Delmar often found himself making multiple trips to the grocery store when something was inevitably forgotten.

Mary Ann savored the simple things: a good dessert, long phone calls, card club with her friends, and time spent with the people she loved. And she loved a good game of cards. Mary Ann was a true card shark, blessed with what the family lovingly described as a “lucky horseshoe.” Many of us learned to play cards sitting across the table from Grandma, and even more of us learned that beating her was a whole different challenge. She was a teacher, and she was very, very good at winning.

Above all, Mary Ann adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She cherished every moment she could spend with them and never hesitated to get her baby fix. Her familiar words, “Give me that baby,” were often followed by a long, loving snuggle. And no matter how old they were, her grandchildren always knew exactly how much she loved them. She would often end a visit or phone call with her signature, “Love you bunches!” – simple words that meant so much because they came straight from her heart. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew they were loved, welcomed, and treasured.

Mary Ann leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond her years: five children, 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and a lifetime of memories that will be shared for generations. Her strength, humor, stubbornness, generosity, and unconditional love shaped the family she was so proud of. We will see her in the traditions she started, hear her in the stories we tell, and feel her in the moments when we gather together. Most of all, we will carry with us the love she gave so freely, the reminder that family is everything, and the lesson she lived every day: always leave the door open for the people you love.

She is survived by her husband, Delmar Portner; her children, Dan (Darla) Portner, Sandra (Steven) Quiring, Cindy (Allen) Wendinger, Tom Portner (special friend, Erin Jensen), and Kelly (Michael) Murphy; grandchildren Brittany Portner (Chris Dauer), Brianna Portner, Alex (Olivia) Portner, Dustin (Kirstie) Hillesheim, Chelsey (Jason) Tyler, Brandon Hillesheim, Zach (Jessica) Quiring, Ashley (Patrick) Doran, Colin Wendinger, Kaitlyn (Andrew) Schopen, Connor Portner, Brynn, Camryn, and Jocelyn Murphy; great-grandchildren, Levi Hamlin, Jace Dauer, Lila and Walker Portner, Rylan, Max, Carter, and Lexi Hillesheim, Bodhi, Dax, and Lennon Tyler, Miles, June, and Sylvia Quiring, Remy and Elsie Doran, Talia, Myla, and Nolan Schopen, whom she loved deeply.

She is also survived by her sister, Darlene LeGare; brother, Dale Brau; and sisters-in-law, Rosie Brau, Judy Brau, and Alice Denn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Marina Brau; her parents-in-law Charles Sr. and Veronica Portner; brothers Larry Brau and LeRoy Brau; sister-in-law Audrey Portner; Lynette Brau; and brothers-in-law Charles Portner Jr., Vince LeGare and Jerry Denn.

Mary Ann will be deeply missed, but her family will carry her with them in the recipes made without measuring, the card games that get a little too competitive, the phone calls that last a little too long, the laughter around the kitchen table, and the doors that are always open. In all the little things she taught us and the traditions she created, her love will continue to live on. Her greatest legacy was her family, and she made sure we knew exactly how much we mattered.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am on Friday, August 21st, 2026 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in New Ulm. Burial will take place in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – SOUTH Chapel and will continue on Friday one hour prior to service at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.