Mary Jo Olejniczak

1960 - 2025

Watertown, WI - Mary Jo Olejniczak, 65, of Watertown, was embraced by the Divine Light on Friday, November 28, 2025, in the comfort of her home.

Mary Jo was born in West Allis, WI, on August 7, 1960, to Jerome and Mary Ann (Brodesser) Novenski. She moved to Watertown when she was six and attended St. Henry's Catholic School through the eighth grade. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1978. After meeting her partner for life, through the subtle urges of Daniel's mother and a coworker of Mary Jo's, they were married on May 5, 2001, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Watertown.

Mary Jo had many loves and passions in life but cherished time with her family above all else. She very much enjoyed planning and putting her creative skills to work for her family gatherings and vacations. In her childhood, she enjoyed regular visits to the Indian Point Resort in Fox Lake, which was owned and operated by her maternal grandparents, Ted and Madelyn Brodesser.

After she and Daniel were married, they made several annual treks to the Eagle River area to vacation with Daniel's parents, June and Roger Olejniczak, and her extended family of sisters- and brothers-in-law. She organized children's activities, once including a t-shirt printing that utilized a small, dead panfish as a printing block; afterward, the fish was given a proper burial.

Travel was a large part of Mary Jo's life-Packer games in Green Bay, a trip to Mexico for a destination wedding, and visiting her sister-in-law Kim Anda and family in Atlanta. But her true happy place was Amelia Island, Florida. She spent hours sitting on the beach with a cold bottle of her favorite beverage, watching the endless waves on the Atlantic roll in under the subtropical sun. It was our little "heaven on earth."

Her favorite drink was a whiskey Old Fashioned sweet with olives and a maraschino cherry. She loved a good cut of prime rib and a Wisconsin fish fry. Mostly, she loved sharing a good time with friends and family, wherever they gathered.

Mary Jo's celebration of life will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Silver Moon (1601 East Gate Dr., Watertown, WI 53094). Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., with a memorial service at 11 a.m. officiated by Rev. Jane Gehler. Personal family reflections and a live musical tribute to Mary Jo's life will follow shortly after the memorial. A luncheon will be held afterward from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated. Hafemeister Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hafemeisterfh.com.

Left to carry her love into the world are her husband, Daniel; children, Ben Block and Olivia (Thomas) Koch; step-children, Andrea Amel and Jared Olejniczak; son-in-law; Patrick Amel; grandchildren, Will and Lucy Amel and Elijah Olejniczak; and mother, Mary Ann (Brodesser) Novenski and Jerry Novenski. She is also survived by sisters, Jenny Jaeger and Maggie Eichstaedt; brothers-in-law, Dave Eichstaedt, Mick Olejniczak, Neil Olejniczak, and Kyle Bergdoll; sisters-in-law, Kim Anda, Kelly Bergdoll, and Stacey Olejniczak; along with nieces, Natalie, Bridget, and Paige Jaeger; nieces, Jane and Kate Eichstaedt; nephew, Charlie Eichstaedt; and her extended family in Green Bay.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by grandparents, Albert and Bessie Novenski, and Ted and Madelyn Brodesser; a dear and special uncle, Jim Brodesser; brother-in-law, Ron Jaeger; and parents-in-law, Roger and June Olejniczak.