Eta Mai
November 1, 1923 ~ March 3, 2009
Eta A. Mai, age 85 of New Hampton, IA died on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN.
Eta Ann Mai was born on November 1, 1923 to Louis and Mathilda (Ruhland) Sitzmann in Kingsley, IA. Eta graduated from Le Mars High School in 1941 and she attended Briar Cliff in Le Mars, IA. She was united in marriage to Donald Mai on May 15, 1945 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Neptune, IA in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Mildred. Following their marriage the couple moved to Florida and later Texas before Don was called to duty overseas. Following Dons discharge on January 27, 1946 the couple farmed north of Remsen, IA for 16 years. They then moved to New Hampton in 1962 and farmed south of town.
Eta was a devoted wife and mother who enjoyed cooking, gardening and fishing trips with her husband. She was a member of Holy Family Parish- St. Josephs Center, Catholic daughters and the St. Josephs Rosary Society.
Eta is survived by her 15 children Dean (Jane) Mai of Elma, IA, Pam Mai of New Hampton, IA, Pat (Tom) Schwickerath of New Hampton, IA, Lea (Joe) Throndson of New Hampton, IA, Marlene (Jim) Gaffney of Hiawatha, IA, Jeanne (Larry) Friedrich of Elma, IA, Chuck (Darlene) Mai of New Hampton, IA, Cyndy (Bob) Weiglein of Hiawatha, IA, Don Jr. (Marilee) Mai of New Hampton, IA, Jay Mai of New Hampton, IA, Joy Tenge of Katy, Texas, Nyla (Gary) Recker of New Hampton, IA, Philip (Claudia) Mai of Jacksonville, NC, Teresa (Ron) Smith of Elma, IA and Gregg (Lori) Mai of New Hampton, IA; 39 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; three sisters Alvina Nuebel of Le Mars, IA, Dolly (Glenn Buzz) Jauer of Sioux City, IA and Mildred Hoss of Le Mars, IA; one brother Roy (Martha) Sitzmann of Kingsley, IA; three sister-in-laws Lola Johnson of Westside, IA, Edna (Merrill) Clark of San Clemente, CA and Margaret Mai of Encino, CA; numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Donald Sr. on June 30, 2005; two brothers Sylvester and Venard.
Cemetery:
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with Etas six sons: Dean, Chuck, Don Jr., Jay, Philip, and Gregg Mai serving as casket bearers.
Visitation:
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton with a 4:30pm Rosary and a scriptural wake service at 5:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Service:
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 am on Monday, March 9, 2009 at Holy Family Parish- St. Josephs Catholic Church, in New Hampton, IA with Msgr. Carl Schmitt as celebrant.
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Gary, Nyla and Family My thoughts are with you at this time of your great loss. Pat
My most sincere sympathy to all of you. Her sweet smile and disposition will long be remembered by all who knew her.
Our deepest sympathies to all of you at this time of sorrow. Our hearts go out to you. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help. Al Nikki and Family
Pat I am sorry to learn of your mothers passing. Thank you for your email. It looks like she was and will be well cared for. Do you really have 14 siblings! Family gatherings must be likea circus! Please wish everyone well.
To the family, sorry to hear of your loss. May god keep you strong in your time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are so sorry to hear of Babes death. We send our condolences to all the family. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and the gleam in her eyes. Hugs and kisses to all.
We are thinking of you at this time of sorrow and hoping it will help a little to know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Stan and Ginny Laures
GOD BLESS YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY AT THIS TIME.OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU AT THIS TIME MARGE AND DAVE MAYO 1080 KELLY DRIVE NASHVILLE,NORTH CAROLINA 27856.
My deepest sympathy at the loss of your mother. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May your wonderful memories bring you peace and healing.
Our sympathy to your families. Memories of love and friendship are treasures to carry with you always. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
To Doneta and the entire Mai Family; My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Eta holds a special place in my heart. She always treated me as though I was part of the family whenever Doneta and I would stop in to see her. What an amazing, caring, and very spunky person she was! She will be dearly missed.
To Teresa and the Mai family – Im so sorry to hear of your moms death. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
You may not remember me. I spent the first 20 years of my life on the farm. I extend my condolences at this time to the Mai family. My best to all the of you.
I think Dean is the only one to know me – some of his brothers and sisters might know my younger siblings – Ken,Ned,Steve,Joe,Grace,Sue and Colleen. Please accept my sympathy in the loss of your mother – its not an easy thing to go thru – Lost my Dad last Oct. – even if he was 90, he knew what was going on. Just know other people are thinking of all of you at this time. Sara
Mike, Staci and girls- We are very sorry about the loss of your grandmother. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you- Brad, Kobey and Gentry
My deepest sympathies. Eta was a very special lady who touch many hearts. We will deeply missed her. I loved her smile and the twinkle in her eyes when she talked about her family. She was down to earth and loved to visit. I will have very special memories of her. May God Bless you all and remember all the happy times you shared.
Our sympathy to all of the Mai family on the loss of your mother. We are thinking of all of you at this time and know you all have special memories of a very special lady whom you called “mom.” Blessings to all of you.
Wishing my condolences to the loss of your Mother. Her memories will go on in your hearts and minds. She sure lived a long and enjoyable life! Take care
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers, we are sorry to hear of your loss.
Dear Pat, (and all of your siblings, some of whom I know) My deepest sympathy for you and your family at this timeeven though Eta had a nice long life, one is never quite prepared for the death of a parent. Having had some sleepovers at your house (Marlene) I always remember your mother with “shock and awe” at how wonderfully she seemed to manage her household and record-breaking number of children-OK, I know she had you guys well-trained, but thats all part of it too. Wouldnt be a farm family without everybody doing a share. And how lucky your parents were that you and all your siblings as a family were so intact and mostly living near. Thats so rare today. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Love, Kris
Pat Pam the entire Mai family, Im sorry to read of your mom passing. Loosing a mom the really hard. They are the ones who seem to hold the family together. She will always be with you and never stop talking to her. She will not answer but will hear and there will be an answer in a very special way. Hope to see you in NH sometime when Im down. My deepest sympathy is with your entire family.
Sorry to hear about (Ma Mai). thats what we always called her. We had a lot of good times out at the house , a few beers and alot of laughs. The door was always opened with a smile on Mas face , and now thats something she has passed on to you kids, cause we always feel welcomed at which ever house were at. Ill never forget Haloween , that was a joy for both Ma and Pa to plant a seed and watch the pumpkin patch grow. Eta was a great cook and alot of things were made from scratch . She was amazing woman who was extremly proud of her children blessed with such a wonderful husband . Just remember those we love dont go away, they walk beside us every day , Unseen Unheard but always near , still Loved, still Missed Very Dear. friends always Dan , Karen , Melissa ,Aaron, Olivia ,Tyler Tracy
Sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in your many memories. I will always remember your Mom welcoming Steve, Linda and I into your home after our Dad passed. It didnt matter that she already had a full house. God Bless and Keep you during this difficult time
We are thinking of your family at this time of sorrow. May your wonderful memories bring you peace and healing with memories of love to carry with you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Max Barb
Eta A.Mai Family! To all no one can ever take away all your loving memories you all have plus Are thoughts, prayers,are with each one!God Bless You All,God Watch Over You All! We are here for you all during this time of Grief, death of Ete. Alice, Tom Rasing ACR
My sympathy to Nyla, Gary and family – and to all of Etas family. Im sure there are many memories to share.
I guess we know most of you. You are a great family. We are sorry for the loss of your Mother. She was a wonderful lady. Just remember to follow in your paarents footsteps and you wont go wrong. Sorry we couldnt make it to the wake, as Skeeter hasnt been out of the house for the past few weeks. Give each other a big hug from both of us. Max and Skeeter.
Jeanne, I remember when we were pen-pals in grade and high school. Sorry about your mothers passing. She is in a great place now. Take Care.