Mary Pauline Barden, 89, of Rochester, passed away at her home on Monday, January 27, 2025, in Rochester. She was born April 29, 1935, in Wabasha, to Vincent and Marian (Evers) Goihl. Mary attended rural Wabasha County Schools and graduated from the McCahill Institute in Lake City in 1953. She went on to attend the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. On June 22, 1957, she married the love of her life Jerome Barden at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake City.

After marriage Mary and Jerome made their home in the Rochester area where they raised their four sons. She was a very active member of Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester.

Mary is survived by her sons, Scott (Karen) of Phoenix, AZ, Steve (Hanifa) Barden of Rochester, Tom (Angela) Barden of Waterville, and Joe (Anna Agular) Barden of Rancho Cuca Monga, CA; four grandchildren, Jenny, Charies, Chris, and Josh; five great-grandchildren, Melanie, Harper, Olivia, Rennik, and Kaydence; two sisters, Jean Waterman of Ventura, CA and Dorothy (Roger) Oenning of Rochester; and a sister-in-law, Marla Goihl of Rochester. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jerome, a sister, Eunice Schacht, a grandson, Jesse Barden, and a brother, Pete Goihl.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 3, at Pax Christi Church in Rochester with Father Joachim Anumba officiating. The burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Lake City. Friends and family may visit from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, at the Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Home in Rochester, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.