Mary L. Hespe April 18, 1927 - April 23, 2023

MARY LEE HESPE, age 96
Of New Bremen, died on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 7:20 A.M. at the Heritage Care Center in Minster where she had resided for the last few months. She was born on April 18, 1927 in Mercer County, the daughter of the late Arlando E. and Irene W. (Tontrup) Schmidt. On February 24, 1946, she married Robert L. “Bob” Hespe, who died on July 10, 1998. Surviving is her daughter Jean Hoskins of Minster, her five grandchildren: Krystalyn Cortez, Nikki (James) Knous, Vance Hespe, Lance (Tricia) Hespe, Leigh Ann (Russ) Smith, eight great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Also left to cherish her memory is her sister, Anna Louise Hoelscher of St. Marys and her sister in-law Anna Schmidt of Massachusetts. Along with her parents and husband, Mary Lee was preceded in death by her son, John L. Hespe, her brothers Charles Schmidt and Everett (Barb) Schmidt, and a bother in-law, Don Hoelscher.

Mary had attended New Bremen High School. She had been a life-long member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen where she had been active in the lady’s groups of the church. She was a member of the New Bremen Senior Citizens and always loved to join on the Monday quilting times. Mary had worked at the former Crown Controls of New Bremen as an assembler in the rotator plant for nearly 30 years. Mary had a special love of cooking and she also was a gifted painter. She and Bob loved to ballroom dance, take fishing trips, and spent many days at their permanent camp site at Glacier Hill Lakes near Wapakoneta. In their retirement, they moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida and lived there for nearly 15 years before she returned to New Bremen after Bob’s death. While in Florida, they were both active in the Elks Lodge #2602, where Mary served as the Ladies Auxiliary President and also worked in the kitchen for a number of years.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen, with Rev. Becky Erb Strang officiating. Inurnment will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery of New Bremen. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Memorial Contributions in memory of Mary Lee can be made to the New Bremen Emergency Squad (214 N. Washington Street, New Bremen, Ohio, 45869) or to St. Paul Church (119 N. Franklin Street. New Bremen, Ohio 45869). Condolences and memories can be shared with the family online at www.gilberghartwigfh.com