Mary Joan "Mary Jo" (Diedrich) Hellman, age 87, formerly of St. Cloud, passed away with her family at her side on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac.

She was born October 8, 1937, in rural St. Cloud to Alfred Sr. & Emma (Sippel) Diedrich. Mary Jo attended St. Cloud Catholic Grade School before graduating from Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac.

Mary Jo met Harold "Gus" Hellman in the summer of 1956, when he asked her to dance. On October 11, 1958, the couple was married at St. Cloud Catholic Church. They lived most of their 60 years of marriage in St. Cloud. Harold preceded her in death on May 31, 2019.

Mary Jo and Harold loved being part of the community where they raised their six children. In 1977 they opened "The Tavern" in St. Cloud, operating it until their retirement in 1996. One of the great joys of her life was the relationships she had with so many local patrons who became life-long friends.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Holyland Parish-St. Cloud Site where she previously served on the Parish Council, Liturgy Committee, and taught CCD, a member of the Christian Women's Society, and the St. Cloud American Legion Auxiliary where she held various leadership roles.

Mary Jo enjoyed bowling, singing, reading, baking, playing cards, and embroidering. She was a devoted wife and mother. Most important to her was the time she spent with her family; enjoying her children and grandchildren.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her six children, Karla (Randy) Robinette of Rosemount, MN, Kurt (Kay) Hellman of St. Cloud, Karen (Michael) Bartelt of Fond du Lac "St. Peter", Kristine (Scott) Mitchell of Fond du Lac "St. Peter", Kent (Shelly) Hellman of St. Cloud, and Kraig (Jeanne) Hellman of Fond du Lac "Dotyville"; 23 grandchildren; 10 great-granddaughters; her sisters and brothers, Verna Bechard of Fond du Lac, Kathleen Barr of Fond du Lac, Mark (Lisa) Diedrich of Necedah, and Joe (Peggy) Diedrich of Fond du Lac; sisters-in-law, Arlyn Schneider of West Bend, Ruth (Harv) Kraus of Fond du Lac, and Janice (Tom) Mack of Fond du Lac. She is further survived by numerous nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Harold "Gus" Hellman; her parents, Alfred Sr. & Emma Diedrich; her father-in-law & mother-in-law, Emil & Marie Hellman; her brothers & sisters, Alfred Jr. Diedrich, John (Marilyn) Diedrich, Lorraine (Robert) Kohlman, Norma (Leonard) Ausloos, three infant brothers; her in-laws, Richard Bechard, Eugene Barr, Karen Diedrich, and Leroy Schneider

A Liturgy Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Our Lady of the Holyland Parish-St. Cloud Site, 924 Main Street St. Cloud, WI 53079. Rev. Paul Koenig, OFM Cap will officiate with Rev. Larry Abler, OFM Cap concelebrating. Mary Jo will be laid to rest next to her husband, Harold in the St. Cloud Catholic Cemetery following the Mass.

Visitation: Family and friends may visit with Mary Jo's family at the church in St. Cloud on Saturday, February 22nd from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM.

Mary Joan's family expresses their sincere appreciation to the staff at the St. Francis Home and SSM Health at Home Hospice for the wonderful care given to her and compassion shown to our family.

For further information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud (920) 999-2291 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.