Mary J. Waldner, 92, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, November 29, 2025, with her family by her side.  Wake services will be at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2025, and Monday, December 1, 2025, with her funeral service at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, all at the Hilldale Colony Church.  Burial will follow in the Colony Cemetery.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Mary was born on February 15, 1933, in New Dayton, Alberta, Canada, to Mike and Mary (Mandel) Hofer.  The family soon moved to New Miami Colony, and in 1955, Mary married Joseph Waldner and the couple lived first at Rockport Colony, moving to Hilldale in 1963.  They had two children, Joe and Mary.  For many years, Mary worked as a kindergarten teacher, and when she retired from teaching, she worked hard at her chores on the colony.

In her younger years, Mary's favorite pastime was knitting (and handwork) and singing praises to her Lord, whom she loved dearly.  She led church songs for many years when she was still able to go to church.  She also loved to read her Bible and bake for her loved ones.  Mary was a humble, thankful woman whose daughter, Mary, and granddaughter, Frieda, cared for her as she aged and could no longer care for herself.  Mary never forgot to thank them for the excellent care they provided.  And she absolutely adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Mary Hofer; brothers, Mike (Magdalena) and John (Elizabeth) Hofer; sisters, Anna (Paul) Wipf and Katie (Paul) Kleinsasser; and her brother-in-law, Elias Wipf.

Mary is survived by her children, Joseph Waldner and Mary (George) Kleinsasser, all of Hilldale; 6 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brother, David (Anna) Hofer of Springwater; sisters, Susie (Jacob) Hofer of Rockport and Lydia Wipf of Springwater; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.