Mary Ann (Wussow) Stenzel of Decatur, Texas, age 83 passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 9, 2025 after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Visitation will be held at DeBerry Funeral Home, 2025 West University, Denton, TX 76201, on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 6-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 2255 N Bonnie Brae St, Denton, TX 76207, on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11am. Mary’s remains will be buried in Saint Casimir’s Catholic Cemetery in Wells, MN at a later date.

Mary Ann Wussow Stenzel was born on January 29, 1942, the daughter of Edwin Frederick (Pete)  and Marie Seraphine (Goettl) Wussow in Mankato, MN. She was raised in North Mankato where she graduated from Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School, Good Counsel Academy and Mankato Commercial College. On November 12, 1962, Mary Ann Wussow married Lawrence John Stenzel at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato. They lived in Albert Lea, MN where they raised four wonderful children. In 1995, they moved to Decatur, Texas where they built the perfect home to gather their children, grandchildren, and later, great-grandchildren on holidays, birthdays, and whenever anyone wanted to come over for a slice of homemade lasagna.

A devout Catholic, Mary was an associate member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in both their Mankato and Dallas provinces. Her eye for detail and organization made her an invaluable legal secretary for several law offices in Albert Lea, MN and Denton, TX. In her later years, she became very interested in genealogy and was a founding member of the Wise County Genealogical Society of Decatur, TX, where she served as Treasurer for 5 years. Mary loved to read everything from biographies of the Kennedys to the latest historical fiction novel by Sally Gunning. She loved cooking, baking, and many of her recipes have been passed down throughout the family and will be made for years to come. She was an avid crocheter and knitter, especially when a new grandchild arrived. Her favorite way to spend her time was making memories with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mary Ann Wussow Stenzel is survived by her devoted husband of over 60 years, Lawrence J. Stenzel; four children and their spouses: Alan James Stenzel of Valley View, TX and bonus daughter-in-law, Shannon Stenzel of Denton, TX; Sandra Kay Stenzel Godwin and husband, Stan, of Leicester, NC; John Jeffrey Stenzel and wife, Debbi, of Sanger, TX and Michael Jason Stenzel and wife, Christian, of Trophy Club, TX. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Jessica Stenzel of Coppell, TX; Matthew Stenzel and wife, Megan, of Decatur, TX; Kaitlyn Stenzel of Denton, TX; Joshua Godwin and wife, Korey, of Round Rock, TX; Camra Godwin of Los Angeles, CA; Gage McMaster of Krum, TX; Trevor and Dillon Stenzel of Sanger, TX; Christopher Stenzel and wife, Jessica, of Englewood, CO; and Alicia, Jake and Luke Stenzel of Trophy Club, TX; three great grandchildren: Keira Godwin (Josh and Korey Godwin); and Grayson and Chloe Stenzel (Matthew and Megan Stenzel); as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and brother, Frederick John Wussow at age 14; sister, Carol Jane Wussow Fredrickson and husband Gary; two brothers-in-law, Florian Stenzel; and Robert F. Stenzel and wife, Evelyn; two sisters-in-law, Adeline Lorenz and husband, James; and Jeanette Lorenz and husband, Philip.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cornerstone Caregiving and Solaris Hospice in Decatur, TX, DeBerry Funeral Home in Denton, TX, and Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells, MN.

Memorials may be made, in Mary Ann Stenzel’s name, to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org) or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://pancan.org).