Mary Jean Neuse

Mary Jean Neuse, 86, of Gonzales, passed away Sunday, June 25, 2023. Mary Jean was born March 18, 1937 in Gillett, Texas to Jullien and Emma Spiekermann Marrou. She married Edgar Gene Neuse on February 2, 1958 in the First Lutheran Church of Gonzales. She was a life-long member of the First Lutheran Church.

Her name was Mary Jean.  Not Mary, Mary Jean.  The only exception was her siblings who called her Jean and so her nieces and nephews called her Aunt Jean.  Otherwise, it was Mary Jean. 

Mary Jean loved to travel.  Every summer while the boys were growing up included at least one trip to Six Flags or Astroworld, plus a longer odyssey with favorites being Colorado and Arkansas.  Later, she and Edgar enjoyed spending time in Europe, especially Germany and France.  There they documented family landmarks including homes, churches, and cemeteries with connections to their roots.

Besides being Mom, Mary Jean’s occupation was banking.  She started at Gonzales State Bank in 1955, was a vice-president at Independence Savings and Loan, and ended her professional career in 1999 when she retired from the loan department at American National Bank.

 She loved spending time with friends.  She was part of the “group of seven” that came together when they joined the Orange Jackets in the 8^th grade.  They spent their high school years as an inseparable gang going everywhere in the Marrou family Buick, affectionately known as the White Elephant.  They had a life-long bond.  In her later years she played cards weekly with her special group of friends.  Any appointments or other commitments were planned around the weekly game of “hand and foot.”

Mary Jean’s family was her passion.  She performed a tremendous amount of genealogy research, uncovering the roots of both her ancestors and Edgar’s.  There was never a doubt of her love for her extended family or those closer who came to her house every Christmas.  She loved each-and-every one of us and we knew it.  Like her mother, she made everyone feel special.  Her chocolate cake was always requested for birthdays and any family gatherings included her highly coveted sweet rice.

Mary Jean is survived by her loving family; sons, Nathan Eugene Neuse (Marilyn) of Gonzales, Paul Edward Neuse, (Dianne) of Gonzales, Gary Alan Neuse (Charlotte) of Hallettsville, sister, Mabel Gray of Gonzales, grandchildren, Kendel Neuse, Stefanie Marcus (Stace), Adam Neuse (Amber), Cortney Connor (Mark), Colin Grahmann, Carson Neuse (Jordan), Connor Neuse (Shellbe), Cason Neuse, Elizabeth Neuse, and Brooke Rivera (Josh), 18 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Emily Gray, Ella Menard, and Ruby Mae Marrou, brothers, J.T. Marrou, and Tommy Marrou.

The family will receive friends from 5 pm to 7 pm Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 am Thursday, June 29, 2023 in the First Lutheran Church with Larry Fortune officiating. Interment will follow in the Gonzales IOOF Cemetery.  Pallbearers: Carson Neuse, Connor Neuse, Cason Neuse, Adam Neuse, Nolan Marcus, and Kristopher Marrou. Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.