Mary Grace (Ditter) Stenz
Mary Grace (Ditter) Stenz, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday July 26, 2024.
Mary Grace was born on January 3, 1935 in Malone, WI, the daughter of Alfred and Frances (Kohlman) Ditter. On May 16, 1953 she married Leander John Stenz at St John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg. She farmed with her husband for 25 years and then took a job at St Agnes Hospital as a Sterile Processing tech where she worked for 20 years. She retired for several years until her love of sewing brought her to JoAnn Fabrics where she worked for several more years. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, embroidering, and making craft items which she sometimes sold at craft shows, but most often gave to family and friends. Grace and her husband, Leander, served as area representatives for Youths for Understanding (YFU), hosting and placing exchange students with area families. They opened their hearts and their home to 7 exchange students; Mari, Mieko and Atsuko from Japan, Ann Elin from Norway, Cecilia from Chile, Isabella from Brazil and Daniela from Uruguay. Grace volunteered her time at Villa Loretto Nursing Home, St Agnes Hospital gift shop, and St Vincent De Paul. Grace was proud of her family, her sons who learned mechanical and engineering skills from their father, and her daughter, who shares her love of crafting and sewing. The family played and worked hard together on the family farm and learned many skills together. Leander passed away in 2013 after 63 years of marriage. Grace was also a good cook and baker, baking and decorating wedding cakes for many new brides and grooms. She often shared her homemade cakes and cookies, along with a little bit of motherly advice, with her grandchildren. Their achievements made her proud to be their grandma.
She is survived by her sons; all of Mount Calvary, Dennis and his wife Janice and their children, Amy (Josh) Grube, Steve (Andrea) Stenz, and Tony (Kelly) Stenz; Gary and his wife Gloria and their children, Nick (Julia) Stenz, Angie Cochran, and Tyler Stenz; Ken and his wife Sandi and their children, Jason (Georgia), and Justin (Maddie) Stenz; and Jeff and his wife Marlene and their daughter Rachael (Matt) Trump; and her daughter, Laurie and her husband Dennis Dary of Wausau; and 20 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister, Jane Kraus; her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Virginia Bertram, Alice Stenz, and Mary Jane (Bill) Murray; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Leander Stenz; her parents, Alfred and Frances Ditter; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clem and Rose Stenz; her brothers George (Rosella) Ditter, Leander (Mary) Ditter, Raymond (Frances) Ditter, and Norman Ditter; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Martin Kraus, Elmer Bertram, Sylvester (Ione) (Pat) Stenz, Erwin Stenz, Norman (Joanne) Stenz, Melvin (Norma) Stenz, George (Rosebelle) Fryda, Elmer (Elfreida) Steffes, Anita (Dave) (Randall) Jones.
Grace’s family would like to express thanks to her special friend Roger and classmate Gerald for their companionship and frequent visits. Heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at St. Francis Terrace and St. Francis Home where she spent her golden years. Grace was easy to like and she quickly became friends with many of the caregivers there who provided her loving care and comfort. Thanks also to the hospice staff and volunteers for their compassionate care in her final days.
Visitation: Family and Friends may visit with Grace’s family on Sunday August 11th from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St. Fond du Lac, WI and prior to services at Holy Family Church 271 4th Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI on Monday August 12th from 9:00am to 10:30am.
Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Monday August 12th at Holy Family Church with Fr. Michael Bertram officiating.
A private interment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice.