Mary Bjoralt-Alm-Russell

Mary Bjoralt-Alm-Russell, age 79, passed away on June 18, 2025 at her home surrounded by family in Alexandria, MN after an illness. Mary was born on February 28, 1946 to Alf and Verna (Sanders) Bjoralt in Alexandria. She grew up in Alexandria attending Washington and Central School and graduating from Jefferson High School in 1964. She graduated from Alexandria Technical & Community College later in life with honors from the Office Information Specialist program. Her career included a variety of jobs related to the financial industry, customer service, and administrative assistant fields. Her employers over the years included Carlson Music, Production Credit Association (PCA), eventually retiring from Work Force Center in Alexandria. In retirement, she enjoyed running her own businesses in book buying and selling, as well as creating and selling many beautiful stained-glass pieces.

She always had a beautifully decorated home and was always willing to offer decorating suggestions to others (whether requested or not). She had many stories about her travels early in life to Germany, Egypt, Greece, and Africa – where she lived for one year. Mary had a creative mind and an outgoing, sassy and feisty personality. She was always willing to help a friend. She also loved cats and always owned at least one or sometimes two of them.

Mary was united in marriage to Ray Alm in 1964. To this union were her three daughters: Dawn (Alm) Winkels, Sheri (Alm) Randall and Cindy (Alm) Bromenshenkel. Later, she was united in marriage to Dan Russell, her best friend and partner who told her daily “Love my Baby” until his death in 2019.

Mary is survived by her daughters: Dawn (Dwaine) Winkels, Sheri Randall and Cindy (Mike) Bromenshenkel. She is also survived by her brother, Don (Paula), and her sister Shirley (Marv) Rosholt; 6 grandchildren: Natasha Randall, Jacob (Anna) Winkels, Elizabeth (Riley) Mickelson, Tiarra Randall, Ryan Eiden and Jenna (James) Eiden;  5 great-grandchildren: Asher Winkels, Owen Winkels, Rayna Mickelson, Lyla Winkels and Bodie Mickelson; and lastly her beloved cat, Albert; plus many in-laws, former in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Dan; and former husband, Ray; brothers: Marlin Bjoralt, Sherlin Bjoralt, David Bjoralt; and sisters: Alice (Norb) Essler and Ruby (Ed) Nelson. Also preceding her in death are many in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

Memorial services for Mary were held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria at 3:00 p.m., with a public visitation one hour prior to the services. A funeral luncheon will be held at the funeral home following the service. Burial will be at Chippewa Lutheran Cemetery in Brandon at a later date.