Mary Ann Jindra lost her long battle with cancer and passed away at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester April 12, 2011, with her husband, John, at her side.

Mary Ann was the youngest child of nine born to Peter and Anna (Volkmann) Kirtz; she was a family present, born Christmas day, 1926. With six sisters and two brothers, Mary Ann was never alone and lived her life surrounded by family around Brownsdale. She lived on the family farm, which at that time was referred to as Kirtz Corner. The home was the focal point for more than 30 children who lived between Mayville and Brownsdale. The children often gathered at the farm to play baseball, football or stickball.

Mary’s father was known as “Re-Pete” and taught Mary at an early age: “If you want something bad enough, you work for it.” It gave Mary a strong work ethic.

Mary Ann met her husband, John F. Jindra, while working at the Chateau Restaurant in Lansing. They married Feb. 6, 1951, in Brownsdale at Our Lady of Loretta Catholic Church.

She had many different jobs spanning her 60-year career. Ranging from an in-home nanny while living at Highland Park, Ill., to a senior citizen aide taking care of others or a candy sales clerk, even a waitress at the former Chateau Restaurant. After her husband retired, she operated the family farm, raising sheep. As a talented conversationalist and oral historian, when Mary Ann spoke, decades of history about her family and her 65 years of marriage danced from her lips. Her memory of stories of neighbors, people and community events never dulled — her mind was sharp, clear and detailed until the end. Mary loved sharing the fountain of information from Brownsdale’s past and the people she met throughout her life from Chicago, New York City, Jersey City and Omaha. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Mary Ann.

Survivors include her husband, John Jindra, living on the farm; niece, Darrelyn (James Daughtery) of Tennessee; grandnephews; cousins; many extended family members; numerous friends and special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bachelder of Brownsdale.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Anna Kirtz; infant son, John Peter Jindra; six sisters, Mrs. Kathryn Joyce, Miss Margaret Kirtz, infant, Anna Catherine Kirtz, Miss Verna Margaret Kirtz, Miss Hilda Kirtz, Mrs. Mildred Hoffman; brothers, Harold and Leonard Kirtz.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 15, at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Brownsdale with Father Dale Tupper officiating. At Mary Ann’s request there will be no reviewal. Friends may greet the family from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Rose Creek. The family prefers memorials to Infants Remembered in Silence or American Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.