Mary Katherine KORSLUND, Ph.D.

KORSLUND, FOSS, RAINER, MEYER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

September 18, 1934 ---- April 29, 2021

Mary Katherine Korslund, 86, of Blacksburg VA died peacefully in her sleep on April 29, 2021, in Radford following a long physical decline. She was born on September 18, 1934, in rural Thor Iowa on the family farm, the youngest daughter of Edwin and Clara (Foss) Korslund, to the delight of 3 older siblings, Allen, Jeannette, and Lois (all deceased).

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Charlene Korslund of Edina MN, 4 nephews, John Korslund of Fulton MD, David Korslund of Amsterdam Netherlands, Douglas Korslund of Chicago IL and James Korslund of Edina MN, and 2 cousins, Brian Rainer of Champaign IL and Mary Nan Meyer of Long Beach CA, plus eight grandnephews and nieces. Her loss is also mourned by her special companion dog, Happy, and numerous close friends in the Blacksburg area who were devoted in remaining close to her.

Mary’s professional career was driven by the nutritional needs of children. Starting in a country school in rural Iowa and gaining pedagogical experience tutoring a young cousin brought into the Korslund family, Mary graduated from Eagle Grove Iowa High School in 1952 and Iowa State University in 1956 with a B.S. in Foods and Nutrition. She undertook dietetics internships at the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin, returning to Iowa State to earn a master’s degree in 1962. She later completed her formal education with a PhD awarded at the University of Nebraska in 1972.

Mary took a position at Virginia Tech Department of Human Nutrition and Foods in 1964, where she remained for 31 years until retirement in 1995. As an Associate Professor of Teaching and Research Mary co-authored numerous papers and scientific journal articles related to child and adolescent nutrition. She is remembered with fondness by the many students and colleagues for whom she provided guidance and wisdom over her many years of teaching and research.

Mary was a long-time active member of Luther Memorial Congregation in Blacksburg, where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She also was an enthusiastic booster of Hokies women’s athletics teams and enjoyed chaperoning several collegiate opera tours for Radford University.

Funeral Services will be conducted at a time yet to be determined at Luther Memorial Church, 600 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg with Pastor Monica Weber officiating. Family and friends will gather before and/or after service time to share smiles, laughter, and perhaps a few tears in celebration of Mary’s memories with details yet to be determined. Interment of cremains will occur later with family graveside services near Eagle Grove, Iowa. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

For those wishing to remember Mary in some way, the family suggests that any gifts be directed through Luther Memorial Church to a hunger or spiritual mission of your choice in Mary’s memory. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

https://www.mccoyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Mary-Korslund/#!/Obituary

[Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove, Iowa]