Maryann Parker

Maryann Parker, age 79, of Edina, peacefully transitioned into the spiritual realm on November 11, 2025, at home with her daughter by her side, just as she had envisioned. Born on February 27, 1946, in Minneapolis, Maryann faced early adversity with the sudden loss of her father and her mother's tireless work to support the family. Despite chronic knee problems and multiple surgeries throughout her youth, she forged a powerful life defined by physical and spiritual intensity. Maryann graduated from Southwest High School in 1964 and went on to earn her undergraduate degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota, where her fascination with Eastern philosophy shaped both her worldview and her life's calling. She was working toward her master's degree when she became pregnant with her only child, Kier, named in honor of the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. A pioneering and devoted teacher of yoga, Maryann embraced the practice long before it became mainstream. A daring trip to India in 1981 to study with B.K.S. Iyengar left a lasting imprint on her life and teaching. Overcoming her own physical limitations, she developed her distinctive style, ParkerYoga, and taught generations of students at Twin Cities health clubs, in her home studio, and at women's retreats in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and at Minnesota's ARC Retreat Community. Her classes, infused with philosophical depth and spiritual grounding, transformed her students physically, emotionally, and spiritually; many lovingly referred to Maryann as their guru, and she valued the loyal community that formed around her teaching. Maryann was a study in contrasts - fiery and passionate, with a love of her sports car and loud music while sunbathing, yet also exacting and precise in her habits and surroundings. Her beloved English-cottage-style home, which she considered "just right," was featured in a local magazine - one of her proudest moments. Her most cherished relationship was with her daughter. Though Kier moved away in 1991, the two spoke every Saturday for approximately three hours, a ritual that endured even during Maryann's shifts at local nutrition stores, where customers would often interrupt to tap into her fount of knowledge. Maryann is survived by her daughter, Kier Olsen DeVries, of Windsor, VT; ex-husband Rob (Tammy) Olsen of Edina, MN; sister Marlys McPherson (Glenn Silloway) of Morro Bay, CA; niece Stacy (Thomas) Davison of Arlington, MA; nephew John (Mariemma) McPherson of Green Valley, AZ; longtime friends Greta (Tracy) Johnson of Hopkins, MN, Katie Bredesen of Edina, MN, and Barb Thode of Plymouth, MN; and many devoted friends and yoga students. She was preceded in death by her father Adolf Parker, mother Ann Parker, and half-sister Ruth Larson. Kier extends heartfelt gratitude to her dad, Rob, for his unwavering love and devoted presence throughout Maryann's illness. Kier and Rob together thank Stacy Jensen Home Health Care (especially Danielle and Maddie), Allina Hospice (especially Abby, Karla, and Mary), Stefan Florence, Megan Platt Kern, Peter Platt, Rachel Harbert, and Laurel Learmonth for their insight, care, and compassion. A service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, followed by a reception for friends and family. The family requests no flowers, though Kier would be grateful to hear your memories of Maryann at the January service or anytime thereafter.

Tributes

Maryann Parker

February 27, 1946 - November 11, 2025

Tributes

Maryann Parker

February 27, 1946 - November 11, 2025

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