Mary Jane Musielewicz

Mary Jane Musielewicz passed away at home with her husband at her side on Wednesday morning, Sept 4th, 2024, after battling a respiratory illness for nearly two years. She was 73 years old.

Mary was a bright light of joy and laughter for everyone who knew her. A loving and caring wife to her husband of over 50 years, Richard Dietman, the best mom to her son Jeffrey, the best mother-in-law to Ksenia, and devoted grandmother to Andrew and Sasha.

A lifelong teacher, Mary spent her professional years teaching English to speakers of other languages, most of that at the high school level in Rochester (Mayo and Century HS). Outside the classroom, Mary was eager to learn about the world around her and enjoyed trips abroad to Poland, Italy, England, Scotland, and Russia, excited to soak up new cultures and learn the languages of her ancestors and her in-laws. She also enjoyed the peace and joy of biking with her good friends, listening to the birds and frogs in the Mississippi River bottoms from the seat of a kayak, and cooking something delicious to share with friends and family. She cherished great friendships with colleagues and family friends, making it a point to stay in contact even over great distances. Always with an ear to listen and willing empathy to share in whatever joys or sorrows needed to be celebrated or suffered, sometimes with an expertly crafted gin-and-tonic.

Survivors include husband Rich, son Jeffrey, daughter-in-law Ksenia, brother Paul (Lorri Eberlein), sisters Clara (Paul Post) Margaret (Patrick Collins, deceased), grandchildren Andrew (7), Alexander "Sasha" (4), and many nieces, nephews, and friends whom she loved and supported in so many ways.

Preceded in death by her father Chester Musielewicz, mother Constance (Kubiak), and sister Catherine (Bruzek).

Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 21st, followed by A Celebration of a Life Well Lived at 2:00 p.m. at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to one of the following of Mary's favorite nonprofits: Friends of the Boundary Waters, Doctors Without Borders, Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee).

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Musielewicz family.