Mary Ellen Nemetz, 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas due to severe pneumonia and related complications. She was in the company of loved ones.
Mary Ellen was born in Oelwein, Iowa on August 12, 1934 and moved to St. Paul, Minnesota at the age of three. She married her high-school sweetheart, John Nemetz – a dear friend of her brother, Robert McDonnell – in October 1955. She referred to John as her “thoughtful, trusted, and dutiful husband;” they had six children together.
Mary Ellen attended grade school at Saint Mark’s Catholic School, and high school at Saint Joseph’s Academy – where she was elected “Queen of Love and Beauty” by her freshman class – graduating in 1952. She received her RN from the College of Saint Catherine and worked for a short time at Saint Joseph’s Hospital. Upon marrying John, Mary Ellen committed her time, love, and attention to her husband, their life together, and raising their children – at one point, cooking and caring for nine individuals under one roof.
Mary Ellen was a devout Catholic and member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church for more than 32 years, where she also volunteered, attended Bible Study, attended weekly Mass, and made many friends. She was incredibly proud of her children, and was happiest when surrounded by them and their families. She was often referred to as Head Consultant of the family (having business cards to prove it); she embraced spirited debates and discussions, exuding Irish passion and imparting words of wisdom among all, with an occasional brandy in the evening to “settle the dust.” Mary Ellen also had impeccable taste; her loved ones hope that her closet in heaven is as big as her heart.
Mary Ellen is survived by John, her beloved husband of 63 years; their six children, Mike (Josie), Ed (Gloria), Sue (Jim), Ellen, Karen (David), Jeni, and; eight cherished grandchildren, Natalie, Joe, Joanna, David, Ariel, Jonathan, Michael, and Alex. She is also survived by her brother, Robert McDonnell and his six children.
Mary Ellen will be greatly missed. Her loving spirit will be remembered and treasured by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Eagles Wings Retreat Center (www.ewrc.org).
An informal visitation with the family will begin at 10:15 am on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10205 N FM 620, Austin, TX. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. A luncheon at Brennan Auditorium will follow.
