Mary Claire Voorhees

Mary Claire Voorhees
July 22, 1946 • December 31, 2024

The family of Mary Claire Voorhees of Benson, Minnesota, announce her passing due to cancer Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at CentraCare – Benson Hospital in Benson. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon. Burial will be in West Bank Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
Mary Claire was born in the family yard in Hancock, Minnesota, at 1:30 a.m. on July 22, 1946, to parents Francis and Agnes (Regan) Conroy. She was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, Minnesota. Mary graduated from Hancock High School with the Class of 1964 and was voted the most courteous girl in the class. She continued her education and received her teaching degree from Moorhead State University in 1967.
Mary was united in marriage to Eldon Voorhees,  April 11, 1969, and moved to the Voorhees family farm in West Bank Township where she lived for 53 years before moving to Benson in 2022. Mary and Eldon were blessed with two children, Nancy and William.
Mary taught Health and Physical Education in Fergus Falls, St. Paul, and Appleton. Eldon and Mary farmed for 15 years, and in 1983, Mary started the first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) vegetable garden in West Central Minnesota. She managed the office for their family owned N.E.M. Wood, Inc. for 25 years and worked for West Corp as a work-at-home telephone agent for 10 years.
Mary used her talents to knit, crochet, and cross stitch many items for gifts and charities. She enjoyed reading, watching English mystery shows on television, and visits to and from her family. Her favorite saying was, “No one is greater in the eyes of God than you. And no one is lesser in the eyes of God than you.”
Mary is survived by her husband Eldon, children: Nancy Colón of Tampa, FL, and Will (Joni) Voorhees of Appleton, MN; granddaughters: Yaneliz and Eva Colón, and Evelyn Voorhees; and grandson David Voorhees. Mary counted her siblings among her most treasured blessings. She is survived by John (Della) Conroy of Hancock, Kathleen Conroy of Austin, TX, Elizabeth (Basil) Rudnick of Isleton, CA, Patricia Conroy (Dennis Anhalt) of Alexandria, MN, Patrick (Sandra) Conroy of Horace, ND, and sisters-in-law Mimi Conroy of Eagan, MN and Renee Conroy of Sheridan, WY; many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Agnes Conroy; brothers: James Conroy and Michael (Mick) Conroy; parents-in-law William and Irene Voorhees, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Roger and Jan Voorhees and Ray Koosman.
Blessed be the memory of Mary Voorhees.
Zniewski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.