MARY JANE HOLLERAN, age 78, of Mankato, formerly of Luverne, died Monday, December 12, 2022, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. She was born April 18, 1944, in Chicago, IL, to Roland and Anna (Leicher) Hollaren.

Due to a high fever as a toddler, Mary Jane became developmentally delayed. She started school with the Luverne class of 1963, and stayed in school until she was sixteen years old. After school, Mary Jane spent her time with numerous community activities. She enthusiastically attended most high school sporting events, and was an encouraging bystander for the local bowling leagues. You would find her at all community activities, as well as the front pew of St. Catherine Catholic Church. Her one great hobby was ceramics, and most friends and acquaintances were the recipient of her labors. In the late 1970's, the State of Minnesota decided that Mary Jane qualified for a new jobs program that had been created for people with her unique talent and skills. She was moved to Mankato where she has resided since. Mary Jane would come home on weekends and for special events until her mother passed in 2005.

Mary Jane is survived by her sister, Anne Holleran McPartland, Sioux Falls, SD; brother, Patrick Hollaren, Maryland; two nieces, Renee Ladd, St. Paul; and Laura Hollaren, Luverne; and a nephew, Gregg Ladd, Minneapolis.

She was preceded by her parents; and a brother, Phillip Hollaren.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 am Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at St. Catherine Catholic Church, in Luverne, officiated by Monsignor Gerald Kosse.  Burial will be in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery in Luverne.

Dingmann Funeral Home, in Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.