Mary Ann Stastny

LENNOX, S.D. — Mary Ann Stastny, 81, Lennox, S.D., died Sept. 7, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society, Lennox. Visitation and a Vigil service were Sept. 10. Funeral services were Sept. 11 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wagner, S.D., with Fr. Ken Lulf officiating. Interment was in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Wagner, S.D. Pallbearers were her grandchildren, Christina Renz, Ellen Renz, Mason Hahne, Lauren Hahne, Nathan Renz, Leona Stastny, Mary Stastny, Clay Stastny and Joseph Stastny. Arrangements were under the directions of Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home, Wagner. Mary Ann was born May 13, 1937, at Bow Valley, to John and Mary (Wieseler) Kathol. She married Joseph Stastny Oct. 8, 1963, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Bow Valley. Mary Ann attended school in Bow Valley to the eighth grade and attained her General Education Diploma in 1985. Mary Ann was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Wagner, and was active in the Catholic Daughters. She was the matriarch and leader of the Stastny Family Polka Band, with all five children as members and Joe as the number one fan. Mary Ann loved sharing her musical talents and entertained at the Good Samaritan Center in Wagner for more than 30 years. She also substitute taught in local schools and no matter the subject, students often learned to polka. Love, laughter, music, family and faith were amply shared by Mary Ann throughout her life. Survivors include her husband, Joe; children, Charles (Margaret) Stastny, West Des Moines, Iowa; Joan (Ryan) Renz, Lennox, S.D.; Wayne (Jantina) Nelson-Stastny, Yankton, S.D.; Mary (Doug) Hahne, Hartington; and Carol Stastny, Freeman, S.D.; sister, Delores Sudbeck, Hartington; and nine grandchildren: Preceding in death are her sister, Mary Kathol, in infancy; sister, Christine (Kruse) Kaberna; and brother, Arthur Kathol.