Mary was born January 18, 1918 to Valentine and Margaret (nee Senger) Litzenberger on the family farm in the Melville district. In 1943 Mary married William (Willie) Jesse, and they farmed three miles west of Melville. They moved to Heritage House in 1995. Willie died on July 10, 1999. In April 2014, Mary moved to the Melville 7th and Main Care Home. When she needed more care and support, she became a resident of St. Paul Lutheran Home until her passing on November 10, 2015.

Mary was a devoted wife and loved to work by her husband’s side on the farm. She was a friend to many, a loving aunt, and spent many hours socializing and playing cards with family and friends. Her garden prospered, and she provided and shared garden produce with many people from Melville and area. Whenever you went to visit, you were treated to her superb baking and dainties. Mary spent many hours volunteering at the church and was willing to give a helping hand wherever needed. She was a very dedicated member of her church and practised a very strong faith in her Lord and Saviour.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Willie; her siblings and their spouses, Ludwig in infancy, Philippina (Joseph) Rathgeber, Valentine (Caroline) Litzenberger, Mathias (Elizabeth) Litzenberger, Louie (Philippina) Litzenberger, Katherine (Henry) Schneider, Philip Litzenberger, Jacob (Thelma) Litzenberger; her in-laws, Rheinhold (Alma) Jesse, Ben (Elizabeth) Jesse, Ted (Dora) Jesse, Carl (Winnie) Jesse, Lydia (John) Rathgeber, Elsie (Julius) Rohlick and Olga (Stan) Graveronski. She leaves to cherish her memory her sister-in-law Katie Litzenberger and numerous nieces and nephews.