Mary Ann Poeppelman

Mary Ann (Kremer) (Gelhaus) Poeppelman, age 91, of St. Henry, passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Elmwood Assisted Living Center in New Bremen. She was born May 28, 1934, in St. Henry, to the late Herman & Marie (Homan) Kremer. On September 8, 1956, she married Ralph “Bud” Gelhaus. Mary Ann and Ralph were married for 42 years until he preceded her in death on April 4, 1999. Mary Ann then married Thomas Poeppelman on August 18, 2006, and he survives in New Bremen.

Mary Ann is survived by her six children and their spouses, Bill & Darlene (Muhlenkamp) Gelhaus of St. Henry, Ron & Judy (Laux) Gelhaus of Rockford, Bonnie & Dan Paulus of Russia, Karen & Rob Kerns of Peoria, AZ, Donna Soto of Sun City, AZ, Dan & Amy (Hole) Gelhaus of Greenville, and two step-sons, Ron & Marilyn (Schmitmeyer) Poeppelman of Ft. Loramie, and Bob & Lori (Rose) Poeppelman of Osgood. Other surviving family members include 20 grandchildren, nine step grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 27 step great grandchildren, as well as siblings and in-laws: Dolores & Dave Fortman of Minster, Rose Ann & Alan Diller of Coldwater, and Marlene & Wayne Tekamp of Coldwater, Ginny Kremer of St. Henry.

In addition to her parents and first husband, Mary Ann is preceded in death by siblings and in-laws: Norb & Edna Kremer, Esther & Ivo Goettemoeller, Stella & Paul Heitkamp, Donald Kremer, Herb & Irma Gelhaus, Ed & Mary Ann Gelhaus, Mary & Ray Herb, Norbert & Peggy Gelhaus, Lucille & Adrian Ramey, Gertrude & James Schaab, and Lillian Gelhaus.

Mary Ann was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church in St. Henry, and the Altar Rosary Sodality. She started working doing clerical work at AVCO New Idea in Coldwater. Later she left New Idea to start a family with Bud. Together they raised their six children and started their own dairy farm. After retiring from farming, Mary Ann then went to work at the Barr’s Department Store in Celina, Pantry Pride, Big Bear, and finally Gel’s IGA. Mary Ann loved to dance, especially polka dancing. She and Tom enjoyed traveling to places such as Branson, Deshler, and Shipshewana. Mary Ann was a sweet, kindhearted lady, with a beautiful smile, who never knew a stranger.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 23, 2026, at St. Henry Catholic Church. Following the funeral mass, burial will take place in St. Henry Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, and from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Monday, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.