Mary was born Maria Syrena Grahn in Fredsberg, Skaraborg, Sweden on May 16, 1875, to father Anders Johan Grahn and mother, Maria Catharina Andersson. No sibs are known about, at this time. She immigrated to the United States in about 1897 at age 20. How she got to Pueblo, Colorado and how she met Gus Ekburg is unknown.

Mary Syrena Grahn and Gus Ekburg married in a small ceremony at Gus’s brother’s house in Pueblo on April 12, 1901; this was the first marriage for each.

Gus and Mary moved to Silverton, Colorado shortly thereafter and nine months later, Mary gave birth to their only child, a daughter Elvira January 6, 1902. The U.S. Census of 1910 found all three living in La Plata City, Colorado.

Early in their residence, an avalanche came just feet from destroying their first cabin piling snow up against the wall and doors.

Early in their residence, an avalanche came just feet from destroying their first cabin piling snow up against the wall and doors.

Mary died in November of 1918 from complications resulting from contracting the Spanish Flu.