Mary Ann Iverson, 73, of Fergus Falls, died February 21, 2017, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
Mary was born on June 30, 1943, to Harry H. and Marie (Streightiff) Frahm in Elbow Lake, MN. She attended Madison Elementary School in Fergus Falls and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961. In 1960, she was named Queen Snowflake and in 1961, Miss Fergus Falls. She went on to be crowned Miss Minneapolis in 1964. After graduation, she attended Fergus Falls Community College and then Moorhead State University and during that time, she appeared on Fargo television.
During junior and senior high, Mary was a professional pantomime in the Fergus Falls Area and continued during her two years of college. From 1962 to 1967, she pantomimed in Minneapolis, usually performing for senior citizen and civic groups. In 1965, Mary graduated as a dental hygienist and in 1966, she went to work as a salesperson for Sullivan Educational Materials, calling on schools in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area.
On August 12, 1967, Mary was united in marriage to Darrell C. Iverson in Las Vegas, NV. While raising their two children in the 1970’s, she worked as an independent typist for several organizations. In 1977, Mary started the “Little Miss Minnesota Program,” which enabled young boys and girls, young men and women and women above age nineteen, to visualize their dreams. In 1980, Mary and Darrell opened Iverson Music in Forest Lake, where their family ran the music business along with her “Our Little Miss.” In 1995, she went to work in the modeling and acting business when her daughter, Robbyn opened John Casablancas Modeling and Acting School and Agency in St. Paul and Mary was also the owner of Gem Modeling. Mary retired in 2003, when she and Darrell moved to their home on Wall Lake near Fergus Falls.
Mary was a member of the Beta Chi Sorority at MSUM and the Fergus Falls Elks Lodge #1093.In her younger years, she enjoyed playing the drums and trap-shooting. Throughout her life, music was very important to Mary and she excelled at the piano, organ and violin. Mary performed at the Old Log Theater in Chanhassen and occasionally played the organ at First Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed watching basketball and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harry Frahm in 1968; her mother, Marie Frahm in 1997; her mother and father-in-law, Les and Ann Iverson; and a brother-in-law, Darol Anderson.
Mary is survived by her husband of forty-nine years, Darrell Iverson of Fergus Falls; her daughter, Robbyn Iverson Navatto (Jr. Toso) of Underwood; a son, Trent (Cala) Iverson of Woodbury; her grandchildren, Sophie (age 9) and Seaden (age 7) of Woodbury; a brother, Robert (Maureen) Frahm of San Marino, CA; a brother-in-law, Clair (Karen) Iverson of Fergus Falls; a sister-in-law, Allegra Anderson of Fergus Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A time for food and fellowship will be held from 11 to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. with Chaplain David Strom officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls at a later date. Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements.