Mary Jean Grassmann, age 88, of New Prague/Jordan, died Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague. On August 15, 1927, Mary Jean Mertens was born in Jordan, MN, to her parents, Ollie and Mollie (Becker) Mertens. Being an only child, she was certainly loved by her family. She attended parochial school in Jordan, played the piano and saxophone, and graduated from Jordan High School in 1945, second in her class of 29. After graduation, she attended secretarial school in the Twin Cities. She then worked as a secretary at Green Giant Canning Company in Le Sueur for several years. About this same time, a young farmer named Robert Grassmann from New Prague was discharged from his service in the Army, and started coming to Jordan to play his trombone in the Community Band, the same band in which Mary Jean played her tenor sax. On July 2, 1951, they eloped to Minneapolis to get married. This Jordan girl now became a farm wife from New Prague. As four children were born, she kept very busy helping on the farm, giving piano lessons for awhile, and helping Bob with bookkeeping for his insurance business. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and tatting, and participated in many local craft sales, in addition to her annual garage sale. After they “sold the cows” in the 70s, and the kids were gone, she and Bob began traveling, and they ventured far and wide, meeting many new friends.
They lived on their farm west of New Prague for 57 years, and then bought a town house in New Prague, where they enjoyed their helpful, caring neighbors. On the rainiest day in June 2014, they moved to Oak Terrace Assisted Living in Jordan. Mary Jean loved family gatherings,and looked forward to everyone spending time together. She was good with details, and knew what was going on in everyone’s busy life. In August this year, her health declined, and she lived her final three months at Mala Strana. Her earthly life ended peacefully the early morning of November 7, 2015 with family at her side.
Mary Jean is survived by her husband of 64 years, Robert; children, John (Monica) of Maple Grove, Gary of Cleveland, Judy (John) Slavik of Jordan, Lori (Scott) Grimmer of Eden Prairie; 5 grandchildren; 9 (soon to be 10) great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and an infant daughter.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at 1 PM at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural New Prague (Lanesburgh) with Reverend Henry Koch officiating. Visitation will take place at church from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Burial will occur in the church cemetery followed by lunch in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Friedens Church or the donor’s choice. The family wishes to thank Oak Terrace and Mala Strana for their kindness and care.
