Pauline "Polly" Josephine Ray

Pauline "Polly" Ray passed away in her sleep on Sunday, August 30, 2026. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. and rosary at 8:30 a.m. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Services will be lived streamed. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St Jude Research hospital, or donor's choice.

Polly was born on March 22, 1929 in Wells, MN to Chris and Augusta Weber on their family farm, the eighth of 13 children. Polly married Don Ray on November 18, 1950 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary three weeks before Don passed away.

After raising their six children, Polly worked as a paraprofessional and playground supervisor for 31 years at Kennedy Elementary School in Mankato, retiring at the age of 87.

Polly will be remembered for her love of caring for children, helping others, her sass, and spreading joy wherever she was.

Left to remember Polly are her sons Steve (Candace) Ray, Tom (Jill) Ray, Rob (Sandy) Ray, her daughter MaryJo (John) Brindley, her daughter-in-law Susan Ray, her grandchildren Jackson, Rhiannon, Brogon, Ben (Alyssa), Dane (Kensey), Ivy, Ian, Hunter and Halle, and her great-grandchildren Malaki, Milo, Belen, one coming next spring, and Polly's sister, Alice Wilaby.

Greeting Polly in heaven are her husband, Don; sons Terry and Tim; daughter-in-law, Jane; grandson, Charlie; her parents, eleven siblings, and other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mapleton Community Home for all the care and kindness shown towards our loved one.