Mary Ellen Stenzel, age 70, of New Richland, MN, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, surrounded by family. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, March 25, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells with Fr. Matt Fasnacht officiating. Visitation was Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 2-5 p.m. with a 5 p.m. prayer service at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in St. Casimir Cemetery, Wells, at a later date.
**The family prefers memorials to Mary’s granddaughter (Lili’s) college education. Please send memorials in care of her grandfather, Richard Stenzel. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.brussheitner.com.
Mary was born January 17, 1949 in Albert Lea, the daughter of Ernest and Loretta (Dylla) Johnson. Mary graduated from Alden High school, the class of 1967, where she was also the Valedictorian of her class. She was united in marriage to Richard Stenzel, Sept. 23, 1978 at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, where she was a lifelong member. Mary worked at Nordaas American Homes for several years.
Mary and Rick adopted their son Sean after his March 13, 1984 birth. Mary loved being Sean’s mom. She enjoyed being around people, visiting and having the occasional Bloody Mary with husband Rick, her friends and family. Rick and Mary became grandparents 9 years ago to Liliana Fay Stenzel. Rick and Mary loved being Lili’s grandparents. Mary continued to work while raising her family and after being an employee of A Home of Your Own for over 35 years, retired in 2014. Mary enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter and was quite adventurous. She was teased by her family for always taking photos at family gatherings. They loved having her be the photographer at family events and capturing the memories.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, son Sean; two brothers: Roy and Jerome.
She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Richard of New Richland; granddaughter Liliana Fay Stenzel of Albert Lea, MN; two brothers: Donald (Judy) Johnson of Wells, MN and Kenneth (Stacey) Johnson of Rochester, MN; sister-in-law: Janice Johnson of Alden, MN; Sean’s best friend, Josh (Hallie) Raimann of Wells; Rick’s siblings and their spouses, along with many nieces and nephews and their families.