Mary Aurand

Mary Ellen Aurand May 7, 1950 – February 28, 2026

With deep love and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mary Ellen Aurand, who went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 28, 2026.

Mary was born on May 7, 1950, to Jay and Ethel Flickinger. She built a life rooted in family, hard work, and unwavering love. She was a 1968 graduate from Freeport High School. She was the proud owner of Little John’s Tap, building it alongside John Hawes (“Little John”). For many years, she was the heart of the restaurant — cooking what everyone called the best breakfast in town and greeting customers not as patrons, but as friends. She loved seeing familiar faces walk through the door and took great joy in feeding both stomachs and souls.

Her family was her world — and everyone knew it. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her love was fierce, loyal, and constant.

She is survived by her husband, John Hawes (“Little John”); her children Tim (Colleen) Aurand, Chris (Rob) Knoup, and Tammy (Joe) Stephan; her stepchildren Scott (Katharine) Hawes, Amanda Hawes, and Abbey Rehder; and her treasured grandchildren: Cassie (Josh) Garnhart, Adam (Meridian) Long, Andrew Long, Trey Aurand, Kade Knoup, Brinkley Knoup, Madyson Stephan, Zac (Cassy) Stephan, Kassidy (Greg) Tessendorf, Blake Rehder, Sydney Riddle, Mitchell Corey, and Finn Hawes, along with many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is also survived by her sister, Rose Marie Schaney, and sisters-in-law Jo Ann Davis and Denise Flickinger.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Ethel Flickinger; John’s parents; Earl Hawes and Evelyn Hawes, her brother Jerry Flickinger; her sister Evelyn Shelley; brothers-in-law Keith Shelley and George Schaney, Jerry Hawes and James (Cotton) Hawes; and her close cousin Kathryn Nelson.

Mary was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pearl City. She was active in her community as a Lioness Club member, Eagles Club member, and as a devoted Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. She believed in serving others and lived out her faith through action, generosity, and kindness.

She absolutely loved Elvis Presley and could never resist watching QVC & Judge Judy. She found joy in simple things, in music, in shopping, in laughter — but most of all in her family.

While we grieve her absence deeply, we find comfort in knowing she has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Her legacy of love, hospitality, and devotion will continue through the generations she cherished so dearly.

Visitation will be held Saturday from 12:00–2:00 PM, with a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM at Simply Free Church in Lanark. A private burial will be held at a later date at Highland Cemetery in Pearl City.

Mary’s love will forever remain the foundation of her family. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A memorial fund has been established.