- Mary Etta Durham grew up in Jenkins with 11 brothers and sisters, learning her cooking skills early.
- At 15, she was working in her first job as a cook at Lost Lake Lodge.
- She worked for the Pequot Lakes bakery for a number of years before being hired as a cook at the Pequot Lakes School.
Last year, 26,000 Mary Etta's Pies were sold, or about 500 per week. The pies are made in Nisswa in a portion of the Sportland Cafe kitchen.
» Purchase reprints of this photo. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
- She retired as the school's head cook in 2000, turning her attention to growing her pie business.
- In 2000, Mary Etta's Pies created four types of frozen pies for Twin Cities distribution and pies were sold at area stores in Pequot Lakes, Brainerd, Nisswa and Crosslake.
- There are now 51 varieties of Mary Etta's Pies. Apple carmel, apple and strawberry rhubarb are top sellers. Last year, 26,000 Mary Etta's Pies were sold, or about 500 per week.
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