Mary Blommel

Mary J. "Mary Jo" Blommel, age 72 of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 8 am to 12 pm on Tuesday, May 29 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. A private family interment will be held.

Mary Josephine Butkowski was born June 19, 1945 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Arnold and Lorraine (Bruns) Butkowski. She graduated from Melrose High School and then worked at St. Cloud State University as a stenographer. Mary Jo was united in marriage to John Blommel on August 26, 1967 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa, Minnesota. The couple farmed together in Millwood Township until John passed away in 1998. She also worked part time for the Melrose Beacon creating ads and helping with office work for 32 years until her retirement in December 2014.

Mary Jo had a passion for sewing, gardening, reading, cooking, watching birds, and especially living out in the country. She was an author of gardening and bird articles that were published in the Melrose Beacon. Mary Jo was also a quilter and each of her children received a quilt for their high school graduation. She especially loved to spend her time with her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her children, Jill (Alec) Heinn of Vadnais Heights, Bruce (Leticia) Blommel of Albany, Jason (Misty) Blommel of Freeport, and Aaron (Richelle) Blommel of Lakeville; ten grandchildren; brothers, Ralph (Janet) Butkowski and Lloyd Butkowski; and brother-in-law, Mike Hynnek.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband, John Blommel on July 18, 1998; her parents, Arnold and Lorraine Butkowski; and sister, Patricia Hynnek.