Mary Ellinor Benesh Lundstrom, 66, Lafayette, IN, died peacefully on September 30, 2017 after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on April 13, 1951 at St. Luke's Hospital in Alexandria, MN to Edward and Lois (Roth) Benesh.

Mary was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. She graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from Purdue University with an MBA. She held several professional positions during her life including both administrative and teaching positions at Purdue.

Mary was united in marriage to Mark Lundstrom on November 12, 1972. They shared almost 45 years together – equal and loving partners on life's journey.

Mary was an active and involved citizen of Lafayette IN serving on the Lafayette Redevelopment Commission and on the Parking Commission, supporting NAMI in Lafayette, tutoring children in Lafayette Public Schools, volunteering in the Read to Succeed program, sharing and learning with others in Monday Club and making trips to the “Y” regularly to stay fit and be with friends – diligently caring for both body and soul.

She is survived by her husband Mark of Lafayette, her treasured sons, Will (Natalie) of Cincinnati, OH, and Nicholas of Lafayette, and her beloved grandchildren Cason, Kennedy and Alexandria (Allie) Mae of Cincinnati. Other survivors include her sisters Else (Michael) Thompson of Ludlow, KY, Margaret (Darrel) Kalina of Alexandria, MN, her mother-in-law Donna Mae Lundstrom of Alexandria, brother-in-law Douglas (Jan) of Owatonna, MN, sister-in-law Lynda Lundstrom of Minneapolis, MN and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother and father, by her granddaughter Runner Cosette Lundstrom of Cincinnati and by her father-in-law, Richard (Swede) Lundstrom of Alexandria.

Those around Mary knew her to be intelligent, witty, protective of those she loved, kind, gentle, fun and enormously decent. She made our world a better place. 

Memorials in Mary’s name can be directed to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Moon Shot Breast, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486. Please indicate that the gift is in memory of Mary Lundstrom.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am – 11:00 am, Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., immediately followed by a celebration of Mary’s life at 11:00 AM.