Mary Jo (Nielsen) Griese, age 69 of Austin, died at her home on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010.

Mary Jo was born on Nov. 12, 1940, in Austin to Leonard and Doris (Goebel) Nielsen. She attended Shaw grade school and graduated from Austin High School. She spent almost all of her life living in Austin.

Mary Jo enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other family and friends. She loved to sew, crochet, cook, bake and do crafts. She also was a poet, thanks to help from her sister, Carol. She enjoyed doing many things with her children.

On Nov. 26, 1958, Mary Jo married her high school sweetheart, Harlan Griese. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2008.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband, Harlan (Butch) Griese, Austin; children: Terrance Griese, St. Paul; Lila (Michael) Mallin, St. Michael, Scott Griese, Lansing; seven grandchildren: Becky and Jason Griese, St. Paul; Alex and Hanna Mallin, St. Michael; Matthew and Megan Foley, Pennsylvania; and Jeremy Ford, Pennsylvania; great grandchildren: Miley Jo and Brian Goodrich, St. Paul; nieces, nephews and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Leonard and Doris Nielsen, daughter, Angela Jo (Griese) Foley, sisters Donna Nielsen Woehr, Leola Nielsen Koster, and Carol Nielsen Stickney. She also was preceded in death by her grandparents, who she loved dearly and her four legged friend Tiffy.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at Lansing United Methodist Church with the Reverend Leland Bissinger and the Reverend Beth Perez officiating. Interment will be at Lansing Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday for one hour before the service.ek Orthodox Church Building Fund 703 West Center Street, Rochester, MN 55902.