Cleo Mann

Cleo Mann, 80 died Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Maplewood Manor Assisted Living, in Elbow Lake, Minnesota.

Cleojeanne Katherine Mann was born on September 4, 1942, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota the daughter of Leonard and Darleen (Glasgow) Piekarski.  She was baptized and confirmed in Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls.  Cleo attended the Fergus Falls Public School, graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1960. 

On December 31, 1960, Cleo married Gordon Mann in Elbow Lake.  The couple made their first home in Elbow Lake, and a year and a half later, they moved to the family farm east of Elbow Lake where they raised their three children, Theresa, Carol and Jerry. In 2006, Gordon passed away, and in the fall of 2020, Cleo moved into the Maplewood Assisted Living.

Cleo was employed as a cook with the Home 20, worked ten years with the area Senior Nutrition Program, and then ten years with K-Mart in Fergus Falls. She enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking, and was an avid reader. She liked animals and had chickens, ducks, and adored her cats.  She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Elbow Lake and taught Release Time, was a volunteer with the Bargain Bazaar, and had been a 4-H Adult Leader. Cleo cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Cleo is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard & Darleen Piekarski; husband Gordon; brother Tom Piekarski; infant brother Christopher, and infant sister Maria.

Survivors include her three children Theresa Clark of Elbow Lake, Carol (Tim) Rossow of Clear Lake, SD, and Jerry (Becky) Mann of Elbow Lake; brothers Pete (Donna) Piekarski, and Jonathan (Brenda) Piekarski all of Fergus Falls; sixteen grandchildren Tathum (Amanda) Rossow, Timothy Rossow, Trevor Rossow, Taylor (McKenzie) Rossow, TJay Rossow, Tokina (Brad) McHarry, Tashara (Lance) Ditch, Tabitha (Danny) Rossow, Tiffany (Dana) Bindert, Twyla Rossow, Megan (Dieter) Strobel, Kari (Scott) Anderson, Monica (Michael) Cole, Tyler (Stephanie) Mann, Heidi Mann, Laura (Jack) Buendgen; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Elbow Lake Baptist Church.

Visitation: 5:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday, November 29 at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake, and resuming one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial at Lawrence Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Wendell following the service.

Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake is assisting the family with arrangement.