Mary Jane Cress, 91, formerly of Rose Creek, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home in Rochester on Tuesday, June 21, 2016.

Mary Jane Becker was born Aug. 16, 1924, in Caledonia, Minnesota, the daughter of Herman and Rosella (Leary) Becker. She was a graduate of Loretto High School in Caledonia and was employed as a telephone operator. At a funeral, she met William V. Cress from Rose Creek; they were married August 28, 1948 in Caledonia, and lived most of their married life on the Cress family farm in Rose Creek.  Mrs. Cress became a homemaker, raised seven children, and found great joy spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rose Creek. In May of 2014, Bill and Mary Jane moved off the family farm to an apartment at Primrose Retirement Community in Austin, Minnesota. On Aug. 27, 2015, Mary Jane moved to the Waters on Mayowood in Rochester, Minnesota.

Mrs. Cress is survived by three sons: David (Jan), and Paul (Candy) of Bloomington, Minnesota, Leo (Alexis) of Ojochal, Costa Rica; four daughters: Rosemary (Ron) Danielson of Bigfork, Minnesota, Nancy (Norb) Kelly of Lanesboro, Minnesota, Catherine (Wayne) Miller of Rochester, Minnesota, and Karen (Dan) Noterman of Adams, Minnesota; numerous loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law. She was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Bill, who passed away Oct.17, 2014; her parents, brothers Lloyd and Cyril, and daughter-in-law Diane.

Mass in celebration of the life of Mrs. Cress will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rose Creek at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Family will be available to greet guests at the church one hour prior to Mass.

The family wishes to extend deep gratitude to the caring staff of the Waters on Mayowood and Mayo Hospice staff and volunteers.

Because Mary Jane donated her body to the Department of Mayo Anatomy for medical research, burial will take place in Rose Creek at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Mayo Hospice Program, or a charity of the donor’s choice.