"Heaven won?t be the same with Mary Jane there. Her obit was delightful. Barb Vaske"
In loving memory of
Mary Jane Besch
February 19, 1930 - December 5, 2020
A private family funeral Mass for Mary Jane Besch will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. Burial will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Whittemore following the funeral. The funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Five Saints Catholic Parish YouTube Page. www.youtube.com/user/stceceliaalgona The graveside service will be live-streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook Page. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family asks that you make a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association, or an Alzheimer's organization of your choice.
Mary Jane (Bleich) Besch was born on February 19, 1930 in Titonka, Iowa, the daughter of Martin Albert and Anna Mary (Seiler) Bleich. She grew up in Garner, graduating from Garner High School in 1947. She attended Iowa State Teachers College (UNI), earning a two-year teaching certification and went on to teach sixth grade in West Bend, IA. Teachers weren't allowed to date back then (can you imagine?!?) and thus, not allowed to attend dances. Mary Jane and her roommate, another teacher, snuck out to a dance one Saturday night at the Whittemore Plantation - a hot spot back in the day - where she met her later-to-be-husband.
On June 14, 1950, Mary Jane was united in marriage to Lawrence J. Besch at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. The couple lived on the Besch Family Farm in Whittemore, where they lived their entire married lives, 56 years together. Mary Jane was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Parish during these years, where she was a member of the Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters of America. Once her children were old enough, Mary Jane returned to the work world where she became a Head Start teacher in Algona, one of the first in Iowa! She went on to be the Activity Director at Exceptional Opportunities in Burt, IA, and at the County Care Facility in Algona, IA.
Mary Jane enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, gardening, golfing, reading, bird-watching, and playing cards & games. She also loved music, which she fueled in her entire family. All the children took piano lessons (although none play well today) because she insisted they learn to read music. All went on to play a musical instrument in band in high school, and several still play guitar today. The Besch sing-a-longs are a long-standing tradition in the family, now enjoyed by four generations. She and Lawrence were a wiz on the dance floor! Mary Jane could often be seen dancing around her living room and kitchen to some music (sometimes her own singing!). Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights was a fond, favorite time for the family.
One of Mary Jane's delights was socializing with friends and neighbors. The Crawfish Bottom Gang became family, and oh the fun and shenanigans reported through the years! Mary Jane and the Gang were not above breaking into someone's home and short-sheeting their bed on anniversaries. After Lawrence passed in 2006, Mary Jane eventually moved to Algona where she was a member of St. Cecelia's Catholic Church. Once diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2010, Mary Jane lived in Bickford Cottage Assisted Living in Iowa City, and had a short stay at Bickford Memory Unit in Cedar Rapids before moving to West Ridge Nursing Home in Cedar Rapids. Mary Jane's family extends heartfelt thanks to all the staff and care-givers at both Bickford and West Ridge for their wonderful care of Mary Jane - you are the heroes! Particularly telling were these priceless health care workers relaying how they loved Mary Jane's big, warm smile and her bright, delightful personality. Some things, Alzheimer's can't steal!
Mary Jane died December 5, 2020, at the West Ridge Care Center. She was 90.
She is survived by her children, Patricia and Jon Thompson of Port Isabel, Texas; David and Kris Besch of Sri Lanka; Stephen and Peggy Besch of Huron, South Dakota; Ruth Flores of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; JoAnn and Chris Goerdt of Iowa City, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother Monsignor Russell. M Bleich of Dubuque, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; parents, Martin and Anna Bleich; brother and sister-in-law, Vincent and Margaret Seiler, and her sister and brother-in-law, Cathy and Eric Bartleson.
Tributes
"JoAnn and siblings so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I have many great memories of her. The fun we had at the Besch residence. Thinking of you all. Hugs n prayers "
"I remember fondly Mary Jane as a 4-H Leader. She always had a smile and encouraging words to give. May all of you find peace as you celebrate Mary Jane. Debbie (Sabin) Mayland"
"Patty and siblings, i just read of your mom\'s passing. She was so kind and wonderfully positive in all that she did. She was always so warm and friendly. She will be missed. Ann (Loebach) Schwetye"
"The Mass was beautiful. God rest her soul and bless all of you. "
"I met Mary Jane at 4-H leaders meetings and will always remember her for her kind and friendly nature. She touched the lives of many. Our sympathies to the Besch family. We have sent a cash donation to the Alzheimer\'s Assocation in her memory. Lucile and Cecil Wattermann"
"There are not enough pages to write all about Mary Jane and living with her in Cedar Falls and West Bend. The absolute best years of my young life, then. We were happy , silly laughing together, supporting each other during stressful times. I won\'t share all the fun and absolute wonderful days with Mary Jane and her family, Ann and Martin Bleich, also Catherine and Father Russell Bleich!! Remembering the little store in Miller Iowa We were there one weekend taking a break from studying, we made a lemon pie, had to eat it with a straw and Lawrence and Rich came to visit and enjoy our famous pie. So long Mary Jane when I get with you again we can do our famous whistle with happy love"
"Hello Besch family. I was sorry to learn of Mary Jane passing. Your obituary words brought back so many memories. I?m sad for your loss but I?m so grateful for your family and all the joy that your mom brought to so many of us. What a treasure. God bless all of you. Love, Nancy (Eischen) Dereng "
"To all of Mary Jane?s family You have my deepest sympathies and know that I am praying for all of you. I remember all the fun times in the Cresco Chums 4-H Club when Mary Jane was our club leader. Ruth and JoAnn do you remember eating Barn Burners at Happy Joes Pizza in Fort Dodge? I think your mom stated us those! Mary Jane was a special lady and will be greatly missed."
"Sympathy to the entire Besch families, I?m Jane the ninth child of the twelve children of the Forburger family from Wesley. My memory of your lovely mother is that she was my and my twin sister Jean?s head start teacher. Also I believe she had taught six of us twelve children. Mary Jane would remind me as an adult that our dad was her first cousin and we all had a special spot in her heart. I remember her sweet smile and words of encouragement, God just received another angel. "
"For the family, sorry for your loss. With love, sympathy, and prayers. "
"Oh so many good memories of your Mom. I will always remember ?the Besch Family Farm? music book. Loved singing along with Ruth playing guitar to all the favorite Besch family songs that made it into the book. Mary Jane was a real sweetheart and always so welcoming. She will be missed by so many - hugs to your whole family ??"
"I remember my days carpooling to Burt, to work at Exceptional Opportunities with your Mom. We shared a lot of laughs and it really helped reduce the stress for both of us. She had a heart of gold and loved her family so much. May your memories of her help you at this time and in the days ahead. Our sympathy to the whole family. "
"?Mary Jane? what comes to mind when we think of her? ?Shenanigans ?, Crawfish Bottom, music, laughter , probably more shenanigans. A heart of gold, shoulder to lean on, ( for some reason shenanigans keeps popping up in my head). Over the years we have enjoyed calling her a great friend and neighbor. We wonder if heaven will ever be the same with her up there? Yup I?m sure she made it up there and is now sharing with your dad. Prayers to all of you: Patty, Dave. Steve, Ruth and JoAnn. "
"Aunt Mary Jane was a living testament to all that is good in this world we?re passing through. She was loving and loved beyond measure. Her smile, her stories, and her happy disposition will be missed. She has now joined that beautiful choir of angels and is with all of those that have gone before her. What a glorious party that must be. Love you all - Ken and Dena"
"I am sorry to hear of the passing of Mary Jane, such a lovely lady. I remember from 4-H activities. God bless Ruth and the rest of the family, may you find comfort in knowing so many people love your family."
"We were so sad to hear this news, even though we know she is so happy to be with Our Lord and your dad! I imagine she went through those pearly gates just a singing! ?? Mary Jane was one of the sweetest ladies that I?ve ever known. Always so proud of her family and so willing to share all her talents....I feel blessed that she was in my life. Keeping all of you in our prayers. Linda (Muller) and Tom Froehlich "