Mary Ann Gruenstern

The former Mary Ann Byers was called Home on Wednesday, August 27th at the age of 92 after a brief illness. She was born at Marion, Wisconsin on July 22, 1922 to Elmer S. and Luella (nee DeVaud) Byers. Mary was a graduate of Marion High School and Brown's Secretarial School of Milwaukee. She was employed by Clintonville Transfer of Clintonville until her marriage to Gerald A. Gruenstern on February 8, 1947. The couple moved to Beloit where Mr. Gruenstern was employed by Wisconsin Power and Light. An eventual move took place to Fond du Lac where Mary and Gerald raised their sons, Jon, Bill and Bob. She was an avid outdoorswoman, at various times enjoying hunting with her father, fishing with her husband, and camping and travelling with her family. Time spent at cottages in the summer with her extended family provided many important and memorable moments for her. She was a very loyal fan of the Badgers, Brewers and Packers. Holidays were central to Mary in enjoying the family whom she loved so much. Her faith in Christ was an essential guide in her life; she was a member of Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church where she was active in the women's and quilters' groups. She pursued the hobby of family history and greatly enjoyed keeping the entire family up-to-date on their French-Irish ancestry. Her maternal grandfather was the first white child born in Dupont Township in Waupaca County and her paternal grandfather was instrumental in forming the first government of that area.



She is survived by three devoted sons: Jon (Theresa) of Oshkosh, Rev. William (Georgette) of Fond du Lac and Robert (Tina) of Milwaukee. She is further survived by five loving grandchildren: Joan (Dan) Gruenstern Heller, Jean (Clint) Czerwinski, Lindsay (Dan) Mercen, Melanie Gruenstern and Robert Gruenstern. Five great-grandchildren include: Benjamin and Kate Heller, Leah and Andrea Czerwinski and Noah Hernandez. Additional survivors are a sister-in-law, Mrs. Wm. (Elvere) Evans, Madison, and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother, State Representative Francis Byers, a sister, Jean Weber, as well as a niece, Beth Pawlak and a nephew, Jamie Byers.



Mary was dedicated to her Lord and His church and enjoyed her many friends there and in the Fond du Lac community. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, September 6th, at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, 20 Wisconsin American Drive in Fond du Lac with visitation at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m., the Rev. David Redman presiding. Burial will take place in the DeVaud family plot at Greenleaf Cemetery in Marion, Mary's family would like to extend their thanks to the staffs of Arbor View Manor, Northpoint Medical and Rehabilitation Center and Heartland Hospice. Because of Mary's love of music, gifts and memorials may be directed to the Organ Fund of Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home of Fond du Lac is serving the family.