Mary Ann Amelse

Mary Ann (Superak) Amelse, age 83 of Hastings, died peacefully on Monday afternoon, January 14, 2019, at Regina Senior Living in Hastings. Mary Ann Angela was born February 18, 1935, at home in Vienna, Ohio, to Bernard & Mary (Tomory) Superak. She grew up on a 57-acre farm, with an acre of grapes from which her father made wine every year. Her father immigrated to the United States from Hungary and lived in up-state New York. Mary Ann was 8 years old when her father passed away. Mary Ann’s mother was born in United States and took care of children of wealthy families near Ellis Island before marrying Bernard and moving to Ohio. Mary Ann would work doing dishes alongside her mother at the Youngstown Airport. She graduated from Vienna High School and went to Youngstown College for a teaching degree. She went to work for Capital Airlines in the ticket office before getting her degree. Capital Airlines later became United Airlines and she transferred to the Washington National Airport and worked there for 35 years, and also worked at Dulles Airport for 5 years. While working for the airlines, she was able to travel all over the world, taking every opportunity to travel. Some of her highlights were Hong Kong, Tokyo, Nova Scotia, Italy, Jerusalem, and Egypt. That is where she met and married Gerald Amelse, June 9, 1973, at St. Thomas Moore Church in Arlington, Virginia, and they honeymooned in Portugal. Because of the warm reception from Hastings residents, they decided to call Hastings their home after retirement. Jerry passed away December 18, 2001. When she would walk her dog, people would say hello. She was a dedicated volunteer at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and was not afraid to try anything, if it interested her. She enjoyed painting, knitting, crocheting, sewing (even made her own wedding dress), and was a great tailor. Mary Ann is survived by brothers & sisters-in-law, Audrey Superak, Richard Amelse of Sun Prairie, WI, Lawrence (Virginia) Amelse of Rosemount, MN, Peter (Mary) Amelse of Chicago, IL, Jackie Amelse of Dyer, IN, and Betty Amelse of Chippewa Falls; and by many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard & Mary Superak; brother, Bernard Superak; husband, Gerald Amelse; brothers-in-law, Cornelius, Anthony, Rudolph, John, Edward Amelse; and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Lewis, Dorothy Yeager, Mary Ann Speckien, Diane, Kay and Adrianna “Jane” Amelse. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 18, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation for one hour prior to Mass at church on Friday morning. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.