Plymouth Woman, 83, Becomes Oldest Organ Donor in Region

Mary Jo Gruidl of Plymouth, Minnesota, is now the oldest organ donor after circulatory death in Minnesota and the Dakotas, a distinction she holds at the age of 83. Her liver was successfully recovered following a stroke and transplanted into a 68-year-old grandmother.

LifeSource, the Minneapolis-based nonprofit that manages organ matching, confirmed the record on October 28, 2026. The organization stated that Gruidl’s case demonstrates that age is not an absolute barrier to donation. Her liver was deemed viable despite her history as a recovering alcoholic for nearly 20 years, a factor that might have previously discouraged potential donors.

The recipient, a grandmother, survived the transplant, according to LifeSource. The nonprofit noted that medical advances have expanded the criteria for potential donors, allowing individuals with certain medical histories or advanced age to contribute to life-saving procedures.

Gruidl’s family described her lifelong commitment to helping others. Pam McGovern, Gruidl’s daughter, noted that the donation reflected her mother’s character. "I think it was an extra special blessing. I think we were all surprised," McGovern said. Her son, Tim Gruidl, added that the gift aligns with his mother’s wishes. "It's so sad to lose your parents, but the fact that she can help someone else is just amazing, and it's really what she would want," he said.

Greg Veenendaal, vice president of organ services at LifeSource, emphasized that older adults remain eligible for registration. "Ultimately, you're never too old to be an organ donor. We want everyone to register to be an organ donor for that opportunity to exist," Veenendaal said. He added that the agency encourages people to review their status on their driver’s licenses regardless of age.

The family said adjusting to Gruidl’s death remains difficult, but they view the transplant as a final act of service. McGovern stated that if the medical match is right, the donation represents a meaningful gift. "If it's aligned, it's meant to be and it's a great gift that she was able to give to somebody else as she left this world," McGovern said. Gruidl’s family hopes her example will prompt others to check the organ donor box on their identification documents.