Merry Ann Grove Macierzynski

Merry Ann Reitmeier Grove Macierzynski, 80, of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully at home with her loving husband of 20 years, David, by her side in the early morning on April 18, 2024.  

Merry Ann was born in Crookston on June 3, 1943, to parents Leonard and Emilie “Amy” (Drumheller) Reitmeier.  Growing up, she attended Carmen Elementary school before transitioning to Crookston Central High School, from which she graduated with the class of 1961.  

Shortly after graduating from high school, Merry Ann moved to Climax, MN, where she resided from 1962 until 1982.  In 1983, Merry Ann Returned to Crookston where she worked for several companies in town, such as M&H Gas Station, Ampride Gas Station, Red Lake Watershed Engineering Office, the Crookston Public Library where she was a children’s storyteller, and was Head Librarian at the Climax Public Library.  Merry Ann was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, President of the Crookston River Task Force and Head of the Trails Committee.  In 1987, she was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Crookston Chamber of Commerce for the work she did on Winterfest in the Park.  

In 2002, Merry Ann met the love of her life from all the way across the pond in England.  It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with David Macierzynski, which blossomed into quite the love story.   Being separated more than 4,000 miles away, the pair were married over the phone by proxy on November 11, 2003, through Trinity Lutheran Church.  In 2004, Merry Ann packed up and moved to the UK to start her married life with her new husband, where the two renewed their vows in person at the Registrar Office in Fenny Stratford, UK.  In 2008, the couple returned to Crookston together where Merry Ann lived the remainder of her life.  She and David shared 20 wonderful years together, side by side, until she took her last breath.  

Merry Ann was well known in town, her infectious smile and warm personality had a way of drawing people in.  She was easy to talk to and always willing to share her love story with anyone who asked.   Merry Ann will be greatly missed by her family, who find comfort in knowing she is now side by side with the Lord, waiting for them.  

Left to mourn her passing are her husband, David Macierzynski, of Crookston; Children:   Ward Alan (Pam) Grove, of Fargo, ND, Kym Dalen (Janet) Grove, of Shelly, MN, Kyle Arthur Grove, of Bismarck, ND, Tyler Adam (Rhea) Grove, of Audubon, MN; Stepson, Mathew David Macierzynski, of Aylesbury, England; Grandchildren:  Bethany, Seth, Travis, Ethan, Cherith, Heather, Annika, Rachel, Taylor, Megan, Alicia, Mitchell, Kaylee, Jessica, Justin, Ryan, and Madison; Great-Grandchildren:   Mia, Kylie, Rycon, Dawson, Jayden, Lee, and Lovell.  Preceding Merry Ann in death are her grandparents, William and Annie Reitmeier, and George and Mary Drumheller; Parents, Leonard and Emilie Reitmeier; Son, Jason David Grove; Brother's, Lyle David Reitmeier, Allan Lee Reitmeier; as well as many other relatives.   

The memorial service to celebrate Merry Ann's life will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, at 3:00 PM.  Visitation with the family will be held two hours prior the service.  Services will be livestreamed, the link to which can be found by going to www.stenshoelhouske.com and following the prompts to Merry Ann’s obituary.