Mary Katherine Korslund

Mary Katherine Korslund, 86, of Blacksburg VA died peacefully in her sleep on April 29, 2021, in the Radford Health and Rehab Center, 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 an interest in teaching that started in a country school in rural Iowa. She gained pedagogical experience tutoring a young cousin brought into the Korslund family.  Mary graduated from Eagle Grove Iowa High School in 1952, and then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition from Iowa State University in 1956, followed by completion of dietetics internships at the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin.  She returned to Iowa State to earn a Master of Science degree in 1962. She accepted an Assistant Professor position at Virginia Tech in the Department of Human Nutrition and Foods in 1964 and remained on the faculty for 31 years until her retirement in 1995. During that time, she was granted a leave of absence to study at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and received a PhD from that institution in 1972. 

Dr. Korslund was active in both Teaching and Research. Many of her research projects focused on determining the nutrient needs of children and teens and how best to meet those needs.  Her findings were reported in scientific journal articles she co-authored with other investigators.  She is remembered with fondness by the many students and colleagues for whom she provided guidance and wisdom over her many years of teaching classes at all levels and designing novel research projects.  She is particularly acknowledged as an outstanding mentor for students to enable them to achieve accreditation in the field, and for initiating and guiding a new dietetics internship program based in Northern Virginia and Blacksburg. 

Mary has been described by faculty colleagues and administrators as a collaborative colleague, a team player, and a powerful mentor in a relatively new and emerging field of science-based human nutrition and its application by dietitians. Her excellence was recognized by Virginia Tech by naming her an Associate Professor Emerita upon her retirement. Importantly in Blacksburg, Mary was an enthusiastic Hokie Sports fan, holding her mid-field season ticket seat in Lane Stadium since Frank Beamer played in the backfield.  For many years she and a group of friends also held season tickets to men’s and women’s basketball, yet she alone also was an avid follower of the wrestling team.

Mary was a long-time active member of Luther Memorial Congregation in Blacksburg, where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She also enjoyed chaperoning several collegiate opera tours forRadford University. 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 her memory.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 10 AM on Saturday June 5, 2021, outdoors at Luther Memorial Church, 600 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg 24060, with Reverend Monica Weber officiating (indoors in case of rain). Family and friends may linger as permissible after the service to share smiles, laughter, and perhaps a few tears in celebration of Mary’s life. Interment of cremains will        occur later with family graveside services near Eagle Grove, Iowa. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.