Mary Grunow passed from this life into eternal life on September 12, 2025. She was born to Hilda and Henry Calliott in 1922, as the second eldest of a close-knit family of 5 sisters and 2 brothers. They lived through hard times during the Great Depression.

As a young woman, she took the train from their home in the East Bay to work at AT&T in San Francisco. A devout Christian, she was active in Walther League where she met a handsome young Pastor – William (Bill) Grunow. They fell in love and corresponded while he was an army chaplain in WWII. He proposed by mail and they married immediately on his return.

Throughout their 68-year marriage, she was Bill’s helpmeet. She loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. They moved around the country as he pastored and founded churches in St Louis, Montana, Arcata California, Hope Lutheran Church in San Leandro - where they settled in 1953 - and Pleasanton.

Soon after their marriage, they were blessed with their first child, a son, William (Bil) who has since passed. In all, they were blessed with 9 children. She is survived by Paul (Marlene), John (Sharon), David (Lynne), Ruth, Faith (Kurt), Dawn (David), Hope (Leon) and Philip (Betty). Also, over 20 grandchildren, more than a dozen great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson. Mary loved children and every baby was blessed to have her rock them while singing “I am Jesus’ Little Lamb”.

A loving servant of Jesus Christ with 9 kids, she was always busy, yet she made time each evening to gather everyone for devotions. She was natural at teaching, patient and kind helping children figure out difficult problems. She taught her children to be generous & frugal, work hard, to put others first & be discerning, to forgive and to stick with what is important. She loved gardening and sharing her flowers and vegetables. She made an outstanding lemon meringue pie. She loved Christmas and Easter, and made a memorably delicious Thanksgiving turkey dinner.

Mary loved scripture and committed many Bible passages, hymns, and parts of Martin Luther’s Catechism to memory. She worshiped God with her whole life.

“Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:23

Her funeral will be at Hope Lutheran Church, San Leandro on September 27 at 11am.