Mary Nemitz, age 97, of Willmar and formerly of Olivia, died Thursday, December 26, 2019 at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar. Mass of Christian Burial is Friday, January 3, 2020 at 12:00 noon at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia with Rev. Joe Steinbeisser as celebrant. Burial will be at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation is Friday at the church for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers a donation to: St. Croix Hospice; St. Aloysius Catholic Church; or charity of your choice would be appreciated.  Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia.

Mary Olive Nemitz was born August 24, 1922 at Hudson, SD, to Edward and Myrtle (Wood) Gross. She grew up at Beresford, SD, and at the age of 15 graduated from Beresford High School. Mary then worked at the local grocery store until she was 18 when she moved to Minneapolis to attend Minneapolis Business College. She was employed as a secretary for US Gypsum Co in the Foshay Tower where she was the only one versed in using teletype. Later Mary had been employed at International Milling. She married Leon Orlyn Nemitz on August 7, 1945 in Biloxi, MS. They made their home in Olivia and were blessed with eight children. In 1984 they moved to Elkhorn Lake near Spicer and in 2001 to Willmar.  Mary was a faithful member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, past chairwoman of the Renville County Republican Party, and active in the Girl Scout organization throughout the years. Mary was very knowledgeable on antiques and collecting them brought her much joy over the years. She also enjoyed doing crosswords and was known to be a very serious Bridge player. Mary always wanted to be up to date on current events and was very involved in following what her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, a ready cup of coffee and deck of cards, and the ability to fry Leon’s fish exactly the way he liked it.

Mary is survived by her daughters: Linda Nemitz of Richfield, Sue (and Rodney) Borden of Alexandria, Margo Nemitz of Willmar, Lora Lee of St. Cloud, Jane (and Dean) Youngkrantz of Lake Lillian, and Lisa Erspamer of Madison, WI; son Noel (Kristine Kvanli) Nemitz of Plymouth; son-in-law Dan Hoy of Polson, MT; 19 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren; brother Pat (Pam) Gross of Jefferson, SD; sister-in-law Marjorie Borrman of Minnetonka. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Leon; daughter Nancy; great-granddaughter Aubrey Niemi; sisters: Myrtle Sadler and Irene Kilbride; and brothers Ed Gross and Frank Gross.

Blessed Be Her Memory