Mary Avis Stutzman

Mary (Von Blon) Stutzman, 94, peacefully entered eternal rest on June 1, 2026 in Wenatchee, WA surrounded by family. Mary was born June 11, 1931 in Wolcottville, Indiana to parents Paul and Katherine Von Blon. Mary lived in Indiana until meeting the love of her life, Lester Stutzman. Lester and Mary were married August 22, 1948 and moved first to the Stutzman Ranch in Monitor, WA. They moved to Cashmere then later settled in Manson, WA in June of 1959 where they made their forever home, raised a family and ran an apple orchard. Mary learned the art of packing apples at the Stutzman Ranch in Monitor, later working at Manson Growers and at the meat counter in the Chelan Safeway grocery store. Mary also became a realtor at Chelan Realty. Mary and Lester enjoyed traveling by air with trips to Japan, Alaska, Hawaii and Indiana. They also enjoyed rail trips through Canada to Indiana and from California to Indiana, among others. Their biggest joy was seeing the countryside with friends on their many motorcycle trips. Mary was active in the Manson community with involvement in the Manson Growers Cooperative, the Lake Chelan Reclamation District, the Manson School District and the Manson Apple Blossom Festival. Mary took great pride in her orchard work, and her passion was sitting on her tractor mowing. Under Mary’s care, their orchard looked like a well-manicured lawn and no dandelion had a chance. Both Lester and Mary worked their orchard well into their 80’s then retired in their homestead house on the shores of Lake Chelan. After retiring from the orchard, Mary and Lester enjoyed sitting on the deck of their home overlooking the lake, drinking coffee and remembering the life of camping trips, boating excursions up lake and the many friends and family who visited over the years. While Mary took pride in all she did, her most cherished treasures were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary is preceded in death by her loving husband of 75 years, Lester, her parents Paul and Katherine and her brother John. Mary is survived by her brother Jeff of Middlebury, IN, her children Sandra Stutzman (Michael Campbell), Lonnie Stutzman (Carol), and Celeste Klima (Tim), her 3 grandchildren Kevin, Trisha and Ryan, and her 3 great-grandchildren Lana, Jemma and Wyatt. A celebration of life for both Mary and Lester will be announced by the family at a later date. Precht Rose Chapel of Chelan, WA is assisting the family with arrangements. Please leave your thoughts and memories at www.prechtrose.com.

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Mary Avis Stutzman

June 11, 1931 - June 1, 2026