Mary Ann Grote
KALIDA -- Mary Ann Grote 77, of Kalida, died 1:45 a.m. Sunday, May 3, 2015 at The Meadows of Kalida. She was born September 16, 1937 in Ottoville to the late William and Mary (Ricker) Gasser. She was one of 14 children. On August 11, 1956 she married to Melvin Fortman who died August 1, 1968. On April 4, 1970 she married Edwin Grote who died October 27, 2005.
She is survived by eight children: Debra (Larry) Niese of Miller City, Diana (Dennis) Kerner of Kalida, Roger (Janice) Fortman of Durham, NC, Gary (Kim) Fortman of Kalida, Douglas (Norma) Fortman of Ottoville, Carol Merschman of Kalida, Cheryl Grote of Bowling Green and Michele (Andrew) Riley of Van Wert; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren with one on the way; one brother: Robert (Dorothy) Gasser of Ottoville; five sisters: Rita Miller of Warsaw, IN, Leona (Leonard) Bruskotter and LaDonna Ostendorf both of Ft. Jennings, Alvera (Gene) Kleman of Wichita, KS and Delores (Tony) Schulte of Kalida.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law: Andy Merschman; a grandson: Adam Kerner; a great-grandson: Zachary Eickholt; two brothers: Art Gasser, William Gasser; five sisters: Ann Knippen, Dorothy Osting, Agnes Knippen, Regina Boehmer, and LaVera Hanf.
Mary Ann was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida and its Altar Rosary Society and Helping Hands. She loved gardening, mowing her own grass, baking, camping, volunteer work, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida with Fr. Mark Hoying officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday and 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township.  A rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening by the Altar Rosary Society.
Memorial donations may be made to Putnam County Hospice or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com

---