Mary Jo Frese

MARY JO FRESE

Atkins

Mary Jo Frese, 74, of Atkins, Iowa, passed away Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in her home surrounded by family. A prayer service will take place beginning at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home with visitation following from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at St. John XXIII, 8100 Roncalli Dr. SW, Fairfax, Iowa.

Mary Jo Sullivan, the daughter of Ray and Pauline Sullivan, was born Dec. 12, 1946, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. After graduating from Cedar Valley High School, she attended from AIB in Des Moines and met her husband David on a blind date. They married and located in Eastern Iowa in 1966. They enjoyed socializing with family and friends in Iowa and a second family of friends in Arizona, where they wintered. Mary Jo followed in her Mother Pauline's tradition of keeping family members back in cold Iowa updated on the warm temperatures they were enjoying.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband, David; and her two children, Brian (Wendy) Frese, Marion, and Barb (Mark) Johnson, Vinton; six grandchildren, Rylie Frese, Alexis Frese, Mia Frese, Paul Johnson, Brynn Johnson and Ellery Johnson; a brother, Jim (Vikki Charter) Sullivan, Fremont Neb.; and a special Aunt, Rosalie Halligan of Missouri.

Mary Jo was welcomed into heaven by her parents, Ray and Pauline Sullivan; and in-laws, Louis and Orpha Frese.

All who knew her will miss her contagious positive energy, ability to connect with people, her amazing cooking, and sense of fun she brought everywhere she went.

The family especially wishes to thank Hospice of Mercy for their wonderful care and support.

Memorial contributions in Mary Jo's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

Memories and condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.