Mary Eileen Fisher. Staats, 72, of Owatonna, died Sunday, February 20, 2011 at Traditions II in Owatonna. Mrs. Staats was born January 20, 1939 in Mankato, Minnesota the daughter of Leland and Mary (Kieller) Fisher. She lived in Mankato for 32 years, although she taught in Ellendale, Litchfield and Mapleton, Minnesota, before moving to Owatonna in 1971. She graduated from Mankato High School with honors in 1957. She attended Hamline University for 1 year before graduating from Mankato State College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in teaching. She had a lifetime teaching certificate having taught from 1961 1968 at Ellendale, Litchfield, and Mapleton in Minnesota, and also at Mankato State University. On June 26, 1965, she married H. Gary Staats in Mankato, Minnesota. Her hobbies included bowling, watching sports and taking casino trips. For 25 years she enjoyed going to the Women''s International Bowling Tournament each year with area bowlers as well as her daughters. Along with her husband, she also enjoyed following the many athletic endeavors of her daughters. She was inducted into the OBA Hall of Fame in 2000 and along with her husband, was also inducted into the MN State Bowling Hall of Fame in 2008 in the new Pioneer category. It was the first time that a married couple was inducted into the MN State Hall of Fame at the same time. Along with her husband, Gary, they operated Fair Lanes Bowl in Owatonna for 20 years, starting in 1977, before building Southpark Lanes and Lounge in Owatonna in 1997 with the help of the late Buzz Kaplan. Mary was the Junior Bowling Coordinator for over 20 years and was a delegate to the MN State Women''s State Bowling Association. Mrs. Staats was a member of the United Methodist Church, Owatonna. Mrs. Staats is survived by her husband, Gary; four daughters, Kathryn (and Jim) VonRuden, Brenda, Valerie, and Teresa; four grandchildren, Jamie, Jordan, Jessica, and Jenna VonRuden. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Linda Fisher and her daughters, Christine and Amy Fisher, niece, Jana Davis and nephew, Bruce Fisher. She was preceded in death by her mother in 1960 and father in 1983, brothers, Charles, Richard, and Robert, and an infant sister, and step-mother, Delores Fisher. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 25, 2011 at 11:00 AM at United Methodist Church with The Reverend Loren Olson officiating. Interment will be in the St. John Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer''s Association Minnesota North Dakota Chapter, Senior Place of Owatonna, Owatonna Hospice House, United States Bowling Congress, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Steele County, Young Life or to the donors choice. Visitation: 02/24/2011 16:00 02/24/2011 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church 02/25/2011 11:00