Mary L. Gritzmacher-Langer

Mary L. Gritzmacher-Langer, age 79 of Pierz, MN passed away Monday, September 10, 2007 at the St. Cloud Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 15, 2007, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz, MN. Interment will be held at 2:30 P.M. Saturday afternoon at St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Sauk Centre. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00PM Friday and Saturday from 8:00-10:00 A.M. at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz, MN. Christian Mothers/Women's Rosary will be said at 4:30 P.M. Friday afternoon at the funeral chapel followed by Pierz American Legion Auxiliary Prayer Service at 5:00 P.M. and Parish Prayers at 7:00 P.M. Mary L. Gritzmacher-Langer was born October 21, 1927 in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN to the late Albert J. and Elizabeth (Meyer) Bromenshenkel. She grew up in Sauk Centre attending and graduating from Sauk Centre High School with the Class of 1945. Following her schooling, Mary worked at the Sauk Centre Co-op Creamery as a bookkeeper. She was united in marriage to Norman Gritzmacher on September 27, 1950 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Mary and Norman moved to Moorhead, MN. In 1964, the couple moved to Pierz, MN where they owned and operated Gritz Beverage. Norman died September 15, 1974. Mary continued to operate Gritz Beverage until 1988. She also worked at Ken and Jan's Red Owl in Pierz. Mary was united in marriage to Daniel Langer on September 20, 1991 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz. Following their marriage, Mary and Dan made their home in Pierz where she resided until her death. Mary enjoyed bridge, sewing, walking, watching birds and was an avid Twins Fan. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz, Christian Mothers/Women and the Pierz American Legion Auxiliary. Mary is survived by her husband, Daniel Langer of Pierz; sons & daughter, Jim Gritzmacher & wife, Natalie, Joel Gritzmacher & wife, Mary, and Janet Brausen & husband, Gary, all of Pierz, MN; step-sons & step-daughter, Dave Langer & wife, Nancy, of Lino Lakes, MN, Greg Langer & wife, Val, of Las Vegas, NV & Diane Markwardt of Sheffield, IA; brothers & sisters, Leonard Bromenshenkel & wife, Leona, Allan Bromenshenkel & wife, Mildred, Verena Steffes, Irene Trisko & husband, Ray, Jane Meyer & husband, Cyril, & Dorothy Bromenshenkel all of Sauk Centre, MN, Esther Winters of West Union, MN, Evelyn Siegle & husband, Allen, of Long Prairie, MN & Lillian "Tootie" Lucas & husband, Eli, of Eau Claire, WI; sisters-in-law, Hildegard Bromenshenkel & Elsie Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre, MN; grandchildren, Kurt Brausen, Stacie Gross, Sarah Rutz, Christen Funk, Kelly, Samantha, Jennifer, Erin & Kalyn Gritzmacher; six great-grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Norman; parents; infant son, Jeffrey; infant brother, Lawrence; brothers, Robert & Victor Bromenshenkel and sister, Rita Bromenshenkel; brothers-in-law Ed Steffes & Vern Winters. Casketbearers are Mary's grandchildren, Kurt Brausen, Stacie Gross, Sarah Rutz, Christen Funk, Kelly, Samantha, Jennifer, Erin & Kalyn Gritzmacher.