Mary C. Hemauer
It is with a mixture of sadness and comfort that we share this news to you. On May 3, 2017, our mother, Mary Hemauer, went home to the Lord, as she’s been waiting to be welcomed by Him. She was surrounded by her family and died with grace in her home as she wanted and deserved. Mary was 84 years old and lived a long and cherished life admired by many.
She was born during the Great Depression on October 22, 1932 to George Frank & Thelma O. (Haag) Holzer-Barrett. She worked on her family farm until she was able to graduate high school. Beginning in the 4th grade, she picked up playing piano & accordion all through her school years.
Mary married Willard Hemauer on March 28, 1951 and together they had 7 daughters and recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Following their marriage, Mary & Willard lived in many cities and states, moving around from place to place in their mobile home for Willard’s work in Terrazzo Flooring.
Their first 3 daughters were born in Indiana. They then moved back to the Stockbridge area, first settling on Lake Winnebago, and then buying their farm where they were able to build a new home.
When an injury to Willard prevented him from working, Mary began working at Tecumseh in New Holstein. A bit later in life, they purchased a store in Pipe, finished raising their family and remained there for the next 32 years until they closed their store and once again moved back to ‘Paradise’ in the Stockbridge area where they have resided since 2006.
Mary loved to golf, bowl, sturgeon spear and travel. Willard and Mary had many adventures on their travels through their marriage: Trips to the top of the Eiffel Tower, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, time spent snorkeling in Hawaii, and visiting the World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial.
She was a member of Hickory Hills Country Club, Bridge Club, Christian Mother’s at St. Mary Catholic Church in Stockbridge and was a former member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg where she also belonged to the Christian Women. Mary’s faith was of great importance to her in her life and she appreciated the many blessings God had bestowed upon her in this life. It brought her great joy to live her faith by visiting the sick; she frequently would travel to nursing homes and spending time with the ill. Her mother frequently told her she should have been a nurse because of the love and patience she had with those who were infirmed.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years: Willard Hemauer; her 7 daughters: Cathy (Dan) Kremzer, Lynne (Bill) Luehrs, Laurie Thurin, Michelle (Tom) Kozloski, Kelly (Jack) Grott, Ann Walsh & Emily Allen; 21 grandchildren; and 24 great grandchildren; her siblings: Joan, Jayne, Eleanor & Harvey. She is further survived by countless other close relatives and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; a son-in-law: Dennis Thurin, her brother: Donald Holzer; her step-father: Donald Barrett; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Stockbridge with the Rev. Michael Betley officiating. Burial will follow in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, May 5, 2017 and on Saturday at the church from 9:00 am until 10:45 am. A parish vigil service will take place Friday evening at the funeral home at the close of the visitation.
In honor of Mary’s love of serving the sick & elderly, donations can be made in her name to the Villa Loretto Nursing Home, N8114 Co Road WW, Mt. Calvary, WI 53057. Thanks to all who have been praying with us for our mother. She is finally at rest and in peace – comforted that she left us with her strong legacy and will see us all again in Heaven.