Mary Margret Bartz (Bode), 81, passed away peacefully in her home June 28, 2023. She was born in Toledo, to Oscar Bode and Margaret Bode. She was an only child, and was the light of both of her parents’ eyes. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her late husband, Thomas Bartz.

She spent nearly 40 years doing what she did best, as a school teacher at Ottawa River Schools. She also taught Sunday school at her beloved church, Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Monroe, Michigan. Mary devoted her life to teaching, and made sure every student she had felt special. She would make handmade puppets for each of her students at the end of every year. She made an impact everywhere she went and with everyone she encountered. Mary was a woman of faith and her faith was strong. She went out of her way to make sure you felt loved and cared for by God.

Mary was married for nearly 36 years to her dear late husband, Thomas Bartz. The love they shared for one another is something we all hope and pray to have.

Mary enjoyed many things, such as teaching, spending time with her husband and many other various things. But one of her favorite things to do was make Christmas cookies for all the children in her classroom. Mary also would put up Christmas trees in every room of her house and would invite her children and their families over for the holidays; just to make sure they all had a good holiday. If we could all be a little more like Mrs. Bartz, the world would shine a little brighter.

Mary loved her family and no matter the distance she loved hearing from them and seeing pictures. Mary was especially close with her cousin, Nannette (George) Ferch.

Mrs. Bartz will be missed dearly, but the impact she left on everyone is something that will not be forgotten.

Visitation for Mary was held on Saturday, July 8, at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4631 West Albain Road, Monroe Charter Township, Michigan, from 10 to 11 a.m. Services immediately followed the visitation. She was laid to rest at Restlawn Memorial Park, Perrysburg.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted with David R. Jasin-Hoening Funeral Home of Toledo. Friends are invited to share a memory of Mary and sign the online guestbook at hoeningfuneral home.com.