Mary Jane Hess (nee Bahl), of Oak Creek, WI, passed away on November 12, 2025, at the age of 97.

Mary Jane was born on November 26, 1927 in West Allis, Wisconsin, but spent much of her childhood living with her parents and two sisters in Palmyra, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, her father Joseph Bahl, passed when she was just 12 years old. Her mother Mary Bahl eventually moved the family back to West Allis settling into a house on Mitchell Street.

After graduating from West Allis Central High School in 1945, Mary Jane worked as a telephone operator in downtown Milwaukee. However, it was not long before she met the love of her life, Jerry Hess, at a Holy Assumption dance. Mary Jane and Jerry married in 1946 and soon thereafter she became a full time homemaker as they began building a family starting in 1947 with their first child and ending with their 7th child in 1967.

After initially living in West Allis, they built a home in Racine before finally settling into their last house in Muskego. Mary Jane and Jerry loved to spend time with friends and family and had many card clubs they were a part of. Weekends were always filled with gatherings at their home or at friends. They also enjoyed taking their kids on camping trips across the country. The two of them were blessed with 14 grandchildren which brought them immense happiness.

When Jerry passed in 1992, Mary Jane continued to live in their home in Muskego for several years before moving to a senior living apartment in Franklin. She continued to participate in several card clubs and would occasionally travel the world with friends or family.

Her final years were spent at Oak Park Place, an assisted living facility in Oak Creek. Her family thanks the many caregivers who took care of her these last five years.

Mary Jane is survived by her children Diane (the late Jack) Skok, David, Debra (Mark) Jossart, Daryl (Pam), Donna (the late Dennis) Kroes, Daniel and Douglas (Lori); and her grandchildren Peter (Annette), Brian (Ann), Jodi (Zach) Strnad, Jason (April), Eric (Stacey), Brooke (Kevin) Rizzuto, Rebecca (Erran) Schmidkonz, Corrine, Kimberly Krezinski, Kristin LaCanne, Dakota Kroes, Ashley, Nicholas (Madeline) and Thomas Hess. She was blessed with 20 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister Geraldine Gasper and her family.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Mary (nee Bretl) Bahl and her husband of 45 years, Jerome Hess. Further preceded by her baby brother Clarence, her sister Lorraine Koch-Haas, her sons-in-law Jack Skok and Dennis Kroes, and many dear friends.

A Funeral Outside of Mass will be held for Mary Jane at Hartson Funeral Home, 11111 W. Janesville Rd., Hales Corners WI, 53130, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Mary Jane will be laid to rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Milwaukee.