Mary Catherine Messing

Mary Catherine (Oswald) Messing, 89 of Harbor Beach, passed away Monday, April 26, 2021 at Covenant Hospital in Saginaw with her family by her side, following a short illness.

            She was born on September 7, 1931 in Minden City, MI to the late Raymond A. and Sarah (Stroschein) Oswald. She was united in marriage to Gerald J. Messing on June 27, 1953 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms, MI. Gerald preceded her in death on April 1, 2018 after 64 years of marriage.

            Mary attended the Minden City Community School until its closure in her junior year of high school. She graduated from Harbor Beach High School in June of 1950 and continued her job at Volz’s Market in Minden City. She was a lifelong parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms where she helped clean the church and make bread for communion.  Mary spent her life as a dairy farmer and homemaker; feeding calves, driving tractors and trucks, gardening, canning and keeping a spotless home. She enjoyed time spent with her family, going to church, saying the rosary and novenas. In her later years, Mary enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, watching Mass and the Hallmark Channel on Television.

            Mary is survived by her four sons and two daughters, Gerald J. Jr. of Springlake, Patricia (Robert) Hagedon of Harbor Beach, Sally (Ken) McIntosh of Caro, David J. (Bonnie) of Harbor Beach, Henry J. (Erin) of Davison, Nicholas (Tracy) of Auburn; eleven grandchildren, Allen Messing, Sara Messing, Jessica (Michael) Fleischer, Christopher (Sammie) Hagedon, Steven (Leslie) McIntosh, Rob (Rhonda) Messing, Jenny (Nathan) Mazure, Peter (Kelli) Messing, Travis (Sara) Messing, Abbey Messing, Riley Messing;  eighteen great grandchildren, Remington and Ruby Anne Fleischer, Damaris Hagedon, Mason and Aidan McIntosh, Megan, Emily and Lilly Messing, Heather, Ashley, Brian and Timmy Mazure, Hanna, Madelyn and Wyatt Messing, Madison, Taylor and Sophia Messing; two brothers, John (Sandy) Oswald and Bob (Elaine) Oswald; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Marie Oswald, Bob Booms, Jean Messing, Rosemary Block, Rosemary Messing, Dennis (Phyllis) Messing, Beatrice (John) Schultz, Rita (Ralph) Seidl, Diane Hardison, Howard (Lucille) Messing, Roselyn Messing, Evelyn (Al) Sass, Bernadette (Frank) Pickett, Viola (Jim) Essenmacher, Ernie (Margie) Messing; numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren and cousins.

            Mary was preceded in death by her father-n-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Alma (Booms) Messing; three brothers, James Oswald, Father Raymond Oswald, Dick Oswald; one sister, Shirley Booms; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Beatrice Oswald, Leroy Messing, Raymond Block, Vincent and Bernadette Messing, Russell Messing, John Hardison, James Messing, Patrick and Mary Ann Messing; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

            The mass of Christian burial for Mary will be held privately for her family Friday, April 30 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palms.  Please join Mary’s family at 3:15 at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Palms where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved family.

           Visitation for the public will be from 11:30-1:30 Friday at church. 

            Memorials can be directed in Mary’s memory to the charity of your choice or to her family, care of her son, David.

            Mary’s family would like to thank Lisa Koglin and the Staff at Harbor House Senior Citizens Apartments in Harbor Beach for the wonderful transition and care given to our mother over the last four years.