Mary Jane Gajewski

Mary Jane Shedenhelm Gajewski, 93, of Johnston, Iowa, beloved wife of Leonard, passed away peaceably on August 4, 2023. Daughter of Lawrence “Murph” and Bertha Miller Shedenhelm, Mary was born on November 26, 1929, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Lawrence was a technical director in the Civil Aviation Administration (later the FAA), and so Mary grew up in East St. Louis; Washington, D.C.; Hempstead, New York; Houston, Texas; and Oklahoma City.

Mary met Leonard, a soldier-buddy of an in-law who was on holiday leave, on July 4, 1952. They married after going on only three dates, on January 24, 1953. This year they celebrated their 70th anniversary. Leonard was employed by IBM and his career took Mary and their five children to Oklahoma City; Rochester, Minnesota; Endicott, New York; and Wichita, Kansas.

Mary first attended Oklahoma City University in the 1940s. She graduated from Wichita State University in 1991 at the age of 61, taking several courses along with her daughter, also Mary Jane, which certainly caused some confusion in class.

Mary’s faith was central to her life and she found comfort in praying the Rosary daily for nearly 60 years.

Mary was the ultimate volunteer, active in Meals on Wheels, Hospice, United Way, Mercy Medical Center, and the Iowa Historical Society. She also transcribed books in Braille, assisted disabled students at Wichita State University, and worked in the office of her children’s grade school.  In 2000 she received the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award.

Mary had many passions. She loved to travel and visited every state and many national parks on annual family camping trips, as well as 29 countries around the world. She was a Civil War enthusiast (her ancestor John Shedenhelm served in the 24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry) and an avid reader, always with a stack of books beside her chair. She also enjoyed creating beautiful pictures in needlepoint, counted cross-stitch, and crewel.

Mary is survived by her five children: Mark (Janet) Gajewski, Terri (Rocky) Valentine, Kathy (Robert) Parks, Patrick (Stacy) Gajewski, and Mary (Paul) Vial, as well as 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. Eric Holm and his nurse Jodi for the exceptional care they provided over the years, as well as the marvelous caring staff at Kennybrook Village in Grimes and Suncrest Hospice for easing Mary’s final days.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2023, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3663 66th Street, Urbandale, Iowa. Burial will be in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to a volunteer organization of your choice since volunteering was such a passion of Mary’s.