Mary Jo Dellwo

Mary Jo Dellwo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, nurse, and friend. She left this world Sunday, October 10th, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was 66 years old. Funeral Mass will be Friday, October 15, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, Iowa. Visitation will be Thursday, October 14, 2021 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral in STORM LAKE. A prayer vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. after the visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the BVRMC Nursing Scholarship Fund on her behalf. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements. Mary Jo was born to Jerome “Fritz” and Ramona Schramm on September 3, 1955. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in Storm Lake, IA, Mary Jo attended Briar Cliff College where she met her devoted husband of 45 years, Larry Dellwo. She continued her education at Saint Joseph School of Nursing, ultimately dedicating herself to a 43 year career serving the patients of Buena Vista County Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Larry and Mary Jo were married on August 14, 1976. The union resulted in countless adventures, laughs, and memories with their four children: Joe, Tom, Alison and Emily. Mary Jo had a zest for life. She enjoyed playing cards, spending time with family, boating with grandkids, golfing and solving puzzles, as well as traveling and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mary Jo was a humble servant, selflessly giving of her time to lend a helping hand for anyone in need. She was actively involved in bettering her hometown community. Throughout her life she was integral in organizing events for Summer Recreation, Sacred Heart Church guild and finance committee, women’s card club, Legion euchre night, the Early Betterment Committee and many more. Mary Jo is survived by her husband, Larry; her sons Joe (Sherae) Dellwo and Tom (Janelle) Dellwo; her daughters Alison (Chris) Evangelisti and Emily (Justin) Gutzmann; her grandchildren Liberty Evangelisti, Cole Rininger, Avery Rininger, Hudson Evangelisti, Adelyn Rininger, Evan Dellwo, Luke Dellwo, Hannah Dellwo, Lane Gutzmann, Lauren Dellwo, and Logan Gutzmann; her mother, Ramona Schramm; her brother Gary (Nancy) Schramm; her sisters Karen Cusick, Jean (Larry) Walker, Joyce (Steve) Moss; brothers-in-law Mike (Rose) Dellwo and Rick Dellwo; extended family and many friends. She is preceded in death by her father Jerome “Fritz” Schramm; her brother-in-law, Ray Cusick; her in-laws, Luke and Opal Dellwo; and her grandparents, Gustav & Gertrude Schramm and Albert & Katherine Gard.

Mary Jo Dellwo

September 3, 1955 - October 10, 2021