Oregon Association of Nurseries announces death of Jolly Krautmann

The following information was provided by the OAN.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) is saddened to report the passing of Oregon Nurseries’ Hall of Fame member Jolly Krautmann, co-founder of Heritage Seedlings and Liners in Salem, Oregon.

She passed away July 21, 2024, at her new farm in McMinnville, Oregon, following a 2-plus-year battle with brain cancer, which was her third cancer battle in 25 years. She was 72.

A Rosary will be held at 10:30 a.m. and a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 31 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4227 Lone Oak Road S.E., Salem, Oregon 97302. A reception will follow from noon–2 p.m. in the parish hall.

Jolly was born in Taiwan, the daughter of a civil aeronautics engineer father and a literature teacher mother, who had fled mainland China during the Communist takeover. She studied soil science in Taiwan and earned a bachelor’s degree. From there, she pursued graduate work at Texas A&M University in the United States, meeting fellow soil science student Mark Krautmann in the soil lab.

It was love at first sight. The couple married in 1976 and moved to Oregon after Mark got a job working for a grass seed grower. After a year, he shifted to nursery work. The couple founded Heritage Seedlings in 1982, with Jolly continuing her day job at the time as a computer systems analyst for SAIF Corporation. She joined Mark at the farm in 1984.

The business focused on rare and unusual seedlings, rootstock and grafted woody plants, becoming one of the first to propagate woody landscape plants in plugs.

The two became a complementary pair in running the business. Mark focused on propagation, field and greenhouse operations, while Jolly ran the office and focused on customer service.

The business grew over time, eventually amassing more than 20 acres of greenhouse production and more than 2,300 acres of farmland in the Salem and Stayton areas. More than 850 acres have been preserved as oak woodlands, open prairie, wetlands and savannas.

It was just one of the ways Jolly believed in giving back. She had a fondness for her adopted country and took pride in being an American immigrant, appreciating the warm welcome she received. She gave time and treasure to the Oregon Association of Nurseries, The Oregon Garden, her kids’ schools and various regional charities.

Jolly was known for a patient and determined outlook, epitomizing the words of Mother Theresa, who said, “If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.”

“Jolly always followed the logic and principle that to whom much is given, much is expected, and she was always so generous in her quiet charm, empathy for others and ready smile,” her husband Mark said. “Never drawing attention to herself, she simply did the work, helped others less fortunate with a leg up and aimed higher every day. She kept a humble heart matched with quick wits. What a gifted life she lived and gifted in return to each of us who knew her, loved her and savored her dignified company.”

Mark and Jolly were inducted into the Oregon Nurseries’ Hall of Fame in 2019 in honor of their contributions to the nursery industry. Their business, Heritage Seedlings and Liners, is in the process of being leased/sold to Octavio Martinez.

Jolly is survived by her husband, Mark, at home in McMinnville; son and daughter-in-law Jonathan and Elizabeth, who live in Puerto Rico; daughter and son-in-law Joan Claire and David, who live in Phoenix, Arizona; and five grandchildren. She also leaves a legacy of millions of landscape and native trees grown and planted to cool the earth, provide fresh air and beautify communities.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the International Oak Conservation and Research Fund, 2750 72^nd Ave. S.E., Mercer Island, Washington 98040, or online at Bit.ly/ConserveOaks.

Editor's note: Mark and Jolly were recipients of a Horticultural Industries Leadership Award in 2023. Click here to read their story.