Mary Jo Diedrick, 82, passed away peacefully at Renaissance Assisted Living on April 13, 2025. She was born in Green Bay, WI, on October 17, 1942, to Melvin Thomson and Della Smits Thomson.

She graduated from West De Pere High School and Saint Norbert College. She began her teaching career at Seymour High School where she met her future husband, William Diedrick. They were united in marriage at Saint Boniface on June 17, 1967.

Mary Jo was a high school math teacher at De Pere High School, Abbot Pennings and Notre Dame Academy. She enjoyed still getting together for lunch with the Pennings family. She was also an active member of Saint Boniface Church.

She was a member of Brown County Homemakers for over 50 years. She also enjoyed making homemade cards for her family for every birthday, anniversary and holiday. She loved flowers and watching birds in the feeders that Bill had often filled for her.

She loved spending time playing games and cooking and watching sporting events of her grandchildren.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband William (Bill); her children Tracy (Greg) Papacosta, Sarah (David) Kasdorf and Jill (Eric) Lavarda; her grandchildren Dr. Britney Bries (Devon Johnson), Alexandria Papacosta, Nicholas Papacosta, Zachary Kasdorf, Jonah Kasdorf, Hannah Kasdorf and Alex Lavarda. She is further survived by her brothers, Peter (LuAnn) Thomson, Bob (Jodi) Thomson; her sister-in-law Judi Thomson; and her step-sister Lynn (Nate) Jacobs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Della; her in-laws William and Vernice Diedrick; grandson Noah Kasdorf; five infant siblings; and step-fathers Conrad Berken and Eugene Spreeman.

Family and friends may visit at Our Lady of Lourdes, 1305 Lourdes Ave, De Pere, beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. James Baraniak O.Praem. officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

The family requests that donations be made to De Pere Christian Outreach.