May 20, 1925 – November 13, 2023

Mary Ann (Sleder) Masson, age 98, passed away peacefully on Nov. 13, 2023 at Alexian Village in Milwaukee.

She filled a room with her smile, laugh and considerable kindness. She cared more about others than herself.

She demonstrated a polite, upbeat and optimistic personality, greeting others with interest. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She loved her family and friends and lived a life of faith and positivity until her final day.

Mary Ann was the wife of the late Frank Masson.

She will be missed by family and friends. Saddened by this loss are her son Jon Masson of Sun Prairie, Wis., stepson Thomas Masson and wife Joyce of Oconomowoc, Wis.; grandchildren Gabrielle Masson, Maria Masson, Thomas Masson (his wife Michelle) and Debra Burich; Mary Ann’s brother Fred K. Sleder and wife Georgia of Southfield, Mich.; great-granddaughters Samantha, Taylor and Sadie; and nephews Ted, Tom and Steve and niece Susan.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by a brother, Eduard Sleder (whose wife is Nancy).

Mary Ann was born May 20, 1925, in Owosso, Mich., to the late Charles and Henrietta (Kolben) Sleder and lived in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with brothers Fred and Ed growing up. She was an Iron Mountain (Mich.) High School graduate prior to attending the University of Michigan, where she graduated from the nursing program in 1948 en route to becoming a registered nurse.

She worked as a nurse in Milwaukee, which is where she met Frank Masson. They were married May 26, 1951. They lived in West Allis and then moved to Menomonee Falls, where they lived for 20 years and raised Jon.  

After Frank retired, they moved to Door County in 1980, enjoying the surroundings of the scenic Door Peninsula. Later on, after Frank’s passing, she would travel south to Sun Prairie in winter months and “babi” would dote on grandchildren Gabrielle and Maria (children of Patrice Burns and Jon).

Mary Ann enjoyed being near her friends, Don and Rev. Lois Grebe, when she moved to Alexian Village. Mary Ann lived there the past seven years.

She loved spending time with her family and attending the Sleder family reunion in Traverse City, Mich., when she was able. She was proud of her Czech ancestry.

Church was a significant part of Mary Ann’s life. She enjoyed her activities while attending Emmanuel Community United Methodist Church in Menomonee Falls and then the Calvary United Methodist Church in Egg Harbor where she remained active with the United Methodist women’s group and loved to sing in the church choir.  

She was an avid sports fan, who particularly followed the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers and proudly supported her alma mater, the University of Michigan. Despite living in Wisconsin much of her life, she remained loyal to Michigan, her declaration of “Go Blue” continuing as a common cheer when the mention of her university came up.

She loved to write and receive letters and talk on the phone — in order to keep in touch with those dear to her.

Special thanks to the staff, nurses and therapists at Alexian Village for their care and kindness.

A visitation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home at 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.

A burial will be held later that day at Highland Memorial Park in New Berlin.