Mary Ethelyn (Como) Deutz

Mary Como Deutz, 88, passed away peacefully with her family on December 8, 2025.

Mary Ethelyn Como was born on November 8, 1937, in Marshall, MN. She spent her early years in Marshall and graduated from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN, where she made many treasured friends. She was a top student from kindergarten through her Master's degree and reading was always a favorite form of relaxation.

Mary and Ron Deutz were married for 65 years, though the lifelong loving relationship began even earlier in 1953. Ron's favorite song to remember her by is "I Could Have Danced All Night," for they loved to dance. The many years together were often an adventure - a fishing resort in Canada, a big move to Oregon, raising four children, trips to Minnesota to visit family, camping, and then in retirement years, travel to France, Italy, Ireland, and other countries.

Mary taught at grade schools in LaGrande and Pendleton and so enjoyed her teaching friends. She was often stopped in the grocery store by former students wanting to say hello. She also filled her time decorating their home, sewing kids' clothes, knitting, and painting. She loved her quilting projects and her quilting friends, and her quilts decorate the beds of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Friends and family were her priority. Birthday celebrations weren't missed, school sporting events were attended, and the Christmas cards were always cute. Her coffee group, along with so many others, will miss her dearly. She was treasured for her devotion, quick wit, kindness, and deep intelligence. Mary was preceded in death by her parents Virgil and Donna Como, her brother Jamie Como, and grandson Adrian Stump. She is survived by her husband Ron; daughters Maggie (Tim) Daly, Anne (Jerry) Stump, Maureen (Lonnie) Filipek; son Joe (Jill) Deutz; grandchildren Payden Daly, Lauren Daly, Riley (Kory) Stump, Julie (Alex) Muller, Molly Stump, Talia Filipek, Dempsi (Jake) Filipek, Clancy (Andrew) Deutz, Avery (Carli) Deutz; and great-grandchildren Harlow, Adrian & Levin Stump, Dunnam, Faye & Whitten Muller and Aoife & John Galvin. She is also survived by her brothers Tom Como (Paulette), Denny Como, and Tim Como (Renee), all residing in Minnesota.

Funeral service at St. Andrew's Mission Church on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:00 am. Celebration of Life to follow at the Pendleton Convention Center from 11:30 to 1:30. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mary's name to Pendleton organizations benefiting children.

The family would like to thank: Linda Harries PA, of Pendleton, for her care and hard work for Mary, particularly in this past year; Dr. Quackenbush and the staff at the St. Anthony Hospital Cancer Clinic for their considerate care; Father Mike Fitzpatrick for his kind visits; and Vange John Memorial Hospice of Good Shepherd Hospital for making her more comfortable at a difficult time.