Lyda Mandler

 Lyda Agnes Mandler, age 95, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community, Red Wing, Minnesota. Lyda was born on July 30. 1929, on the family farm along the Minnesota-Iowa State Line in Adams, Minnesota, to Frederick and Agnes (Hartough) Kramer. She graduated from Adams High School in 1948. On June 20, 1950, she was united in marriage to Harold Mandler at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg, Minnesota. Lyda put her skills learned on the farm to worked in an Austin, Minnesota, grocery store meat department before taking time off to raise her and Harold’s five children. 

Lyda enjoyed gardening, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables to feed her family throughout the year. She had a wonderful talent for cooking and baking, always having something good to eat. Lyda sewed clothing for all her family, even making a wedding dress for her daughter. She later turned to quilting and made hundreds of quilts, table runners, placemats, wall hangings and more. She had an eye for matching material to make beautiful creations. Lyda was a member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Winona Council of Catholic Women and Keepsake Quilters Guild. She worked tirelessly for the unborn serving 50 years in Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and for Birthright in Austin, Minnesota. 

Lyda is survived by her loving husband, Harold Mandler, children, Mary (Dan) Plein of Red Wing, John (Kris) Mandler of Minneapolis, Susan (Douglas) of Lolo, Montana, James Mandler of Hopkins and Jason (Erica) Mandler of El Segundo, California, 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and sisters-in-law Ruth Kramer of Rochester, Elaine Kramer of Adams and Dorothy Mandler of Waunakee, Wisconsin. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Fred and Agnes Kramer, sister Leone (Paul) Ulwelling, brothers Harold and Gerald Kramer, and grandchild, Will Mandler. 

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, March 7, at Church of St. Joseph in Red Wing with Father Brandon Theisen officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at 3:00 pm at Calvery Cemetery in Austin along with a friends and family gathering in the Juan Diego Room at Queen of Angels Church. Memorials are preferred to Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life or donations for future Masses said in memory of Lyda.