Mary Jane was born on the family farm near Sanborn,Minnesota on December 23,1937,the fifth child of Albert H. and Myrtle (nee Klasnya) Rogotzke. She became a child of God through baptism into Christ as an infant and was later (1950) confirmed in her faith,both at Zion Lutheran Church in Sanborn, Minnesota. She attended Zion Lutheran School through eighth grade and then graduated from Sanborn High School with the Class of 1955.

After High School,Mary Jane worked for a number of years as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She later went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Science in Health Administration Services from the College of Saint Francis in Joliet, Illinois. She was particularly proud of the “A” she earned for her thesis on “Hospice for Children.” She devoted her life to caring for others, finding it especially rewarding to care for newborns and young children. Over the course of her career,she worked as an RN for various hospitals including Minneapolis Children’s Medical Center,Hennepin County Medical Center, and Abbott Northwestern Hospital. She never truly retired from the nursing work she loved.

Mary Jane always enjoyed singing and spoke fondly of her time in the choir. She found satisfaction in meticulously tending to her home and lawn. No speck of dust or stray leaf was tolerated! She also made it a priority to keep gravesite plants and flowers at the Sanborn Cemetery watered and weeded throughout the summer months. Her little red,manual transmission car was a treasured possession, and she put on many miles visiting and making deliveries to family members and friends around the state.While her mother was still living, Mary Jane enjoyed traveling with her to visit their Canadian relatives.

In addition to her unforgettable feistiness, amazing wit, and strong will, Mary Jane will be remembered for the way she cared for the people in her life. If she knew of a need, she did all she could to take care of it. She found great joy in giving gifts, food (bread!),

medical advice and aid, and anything else she thought someone might need. It was very important for her to stay in touch with everyone, and she made regular phone calls to family members, friends, coworkers, former classmates, and neighbors. She did much for others but hesitated to accept help for herself, remaining as independent as possible throughout her life.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Albert H. and Myrtle Rogotzke; siblings Robert Rogotzke and his wife Delores, Albert M. Rogotzke,John A. Rogotzke, Richard Rogotzke and his wife Sharon, Betty Ann Kurth; nephew Rodney Rogotzke, and great-niece Anna Rogotzke. She is survived by sisters-in-law Helen Rogotzke and Evelyn Rogotzke, brother-in-law Donald Kurth, many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.Funeral Service 10:30 AM Saturday April 27, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church 105South St., Sanborn, MN. Visitation 1 hr rpior to service at church.

Her earthly remains will be laid to rest at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Sanborn,

Minnesota, to await the resurrection on the Last Day.

In place of flowers, memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church of Sanborn or the donor’s choice.

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