Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes-North Chapel in New Ulm.

The Christian Mothers will pray the rosary at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at the Cathedral.

To leave an online condolence for her family, or sign the online guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Mary Ann is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Ron Meinhardt of Bloomington, Lynn and Lyle Austad of Las Vegas, Nevada, Patty and Chris Sampson of Escondido, California; and her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Mary Niehoff of New Ulm. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren (and twins due later this year); her sister, Dorothy Schroepfer; her brother, Henry Saffert; her sister-in-law, Mary Lou Pischke; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, in 2004 and granddaughter, Tricia.

Mary Ann was born to Henry and Anna Saffert on Sept. 8, 1928. She graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1947. Mary Ann attended Johnson Beauty Academy in Mankato and graduated with a degree in cosmetology. She later returned to New Ulm and worked at the Wave O Lene Beauty Salon. Two years later, she purchased the shop and managed and worked there for 40 years. Before Facebook existed, the Wave O Lene is where you went for your local information. Mary Ann was a working mom/career woman before the term had even been coined.

She married the love of her life, James Niehoff, on June 8, 1949. They were married 57 years. Mary Ann was a member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity parish, St. Elizabeth Society, Christian Mothers, Hospital Auxiliary, Turner Ladies, a volunteer at MRCI, and enjoyed many activities and meals in the company of friends at the Senior Living Center, both in New Ulm and in Bloomington. She and Jim delivered Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years. She belonged to a sewing club and card club for more than 20 years. She and Jim enjoyed square dancing and parties with their large circle of friends. She and Jim joined her sister and brother-in-law in the Padre Islands for 17 years, spent winters with her daughter, Pat, in California for six years, and in 2006 visited the Holy Land — a dream trip of her life. Mary Ann moved to Orchard Hill in March of 2018, when she reconnected with old friends and made many new friends. Mary Ann was a very vibrant member of the Orchard Hill community. In June of 2021, she moved to Bloomington, Minnesota, because of failing health but made new friends and enjoyed more family time. She was devoted to the Blessed Mother from an early age and prayed a daily Rosary. She has a large collection of rosaries which she displayed proudly in her homes. Mary Ann loved to embroider, knit, and crochet. Many of her friends and family have been gifted with many of her homemade treasures. Mary Ann loved to visit her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lived well, laughed often and loved much. She loved to garden, and her flowers gave many pleasures. She enjoyed flowers during life and would ask that in lieu of flowers, that you consider giving a memorial to your favorite charity.

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