Mary Ann Kenyon

Mary Ann Kenyon, 89, of Zumbrota, died Monday, May, 23, 2011, at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester. She was born to Othelia (Tilly) Hammer and Earle Bringgold August 14,1921. She graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1939. She was part of the "Classy Class" of '43 at Carlton, College in Northfield MN where she discovered her interest in art. She then attended the Minneapolis School of Art and Design. When the country joined the war many of the best instructors joined the effort. So at the age of 21 she decided to venture off to California to further her art education. There she studied at the Art Center School of Design in LA., where Ansel Adams was an instructor and also lived in the same apartment building. The many invaluable experiences there landed her first job at a local advertising agency where she handle accounts that appeared in fashion magazines such as Vogue and Mademoiselle. From there she accepted a job as Fashion Art Director for two magazines Californian and California Stylist. When the war ended Mary Ann felt that LA was getting just too crowed for her and decided to try Northern California. She worked as a freelance artist in Palo Alto and it was then that she met Scott Kenyon. He was also an artist and a photographer. They were married in Santa Rosa California where they had two sons John and Chris. They moved around numerous times including a move back to Minnesota where their third child Sarah was born in Minneapolis. They then moved to Iowa and finally back to California, LA, and Santa Barbara. They divorced in 1963. Mary Ann raised her three kids on her own working whatever jobs she could get and still squeezing in time to paint and have the occasional art show. In the 70's she moved back to Minnesota to live with her aging parents in Zumbrota in the house where she was born. She went on to get her teaching degree at Winona State University. She taught art and was a sub all around southern MN. She also began giving guided tours at the Walker Art Museum. Of course she never stopped painting and hundreds of paintings of hers reside in the homes in all the cities where she has lived. Her barn and church paintings result from her passion for the rural countryside that she never forgot as her homes changed. She was truly a woman with a passion that she pursued and never gave up. She always had strong interest in politics and was never afraid to express her opinion and managed to do so without offending. She was full of such a great love of nature and an eye for beauty. This "small" woman had a huge personality, with a terrific sense of humor and we will have plenty of memories that will always make us all smile.

She is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Son, Chris (Sarah) Kenyon; granddaughter, Emily Kenyon of Bethesda, Maryland; granddaughter, Erica of Tokyo Japan. Son, John (Maud) Kenyon; grandson, Bruce of Boulder Colorado; granddaughter, Dillon Kenyon (Will Waycasy); great-grandson, Emerson of Ojai Ca; granddaughter, Alexis currently in Washington DC. Daughter, Sarah (Harlan) Nygaard; granddaughters, Chelsea and Michelle Nygaard of Zumbrota, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2011 at United Redeemer Lutheran Church with Reverend Tom Isaacson officiating. There will be a private family graveside service. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson-Chapel, and for one hour prior to the service at the church. www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com