Obit: White, Mary I. (1939 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: White, Matousek, Hodges, Gibson, Blasingame, Jones, Koontz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/11/2021

White, Mary I. (26 October 1939 – 5 August 2021)

Mary I. White passed into eternal sleep in the presence of family on August 5, 2021, at Ellen’s Home South in Germantown.

Mary was born in Hoisington, Ks., on Oct 26, 1939. She moved to Union Grove, at age 8, along with her mother and stepfather and graduated from Union Grove High School in 1959. Mary and her parents moved to Neillsville, in 1960, where she lived and raised 4 children until 1986. She then got busy with a new chapter in her life. After graduating from Chippewa Valley Technical College, she moved to Menomonie, where she lived, worked, and made more friends until she retired in 2005. In 2005 she moved to Sussex, to be nearer to family and grandchildren.

Mary made many friends at her retirement community in Sussex. Mary was fond of word puzzles, Star Trek, birdwatching, Jeopardy, cooking, needlework, and genealogy, to name a few.

In her earlier years, Mary loved outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. She also enjoyed traveling to visit her brother, Richard “Dick”, and his family. Additionally, she enjoyed her annual trips with Patty and her family, traveling throughout the Upper Midwest. In her final years, Mary took an opportunity to go back to her birthplace for a visit and a chance to explore her roots. She absolutely loved that trip!

Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Alverna Dove Matousek “Dovey,” stepfather Laddie Matousek, sister Helen Hodges, brother Richard “Dick,” Gibson, sister-in-law, Pat Gibson, niece Debbie Blasingame, and her nephews Bill Jones and Steve Koontz.

She is survived by four children. Patty (Greg), Kathy, Ladd, Dawn (Mark). Fifteen grandchildren; Becca and Tristan (Patty and Greg). Nathan, Bobby, and Jasmine (Kathy). Brandon, Emma, Mia, and Peyton (Ladd). Jamie, Candie, Miranda, Wendy, Kelly, and Mason (Dawn and Mark). Eight great-grandchildren; Dominic, Noah, and Savana (Becca and Chris). Damien Jr, Ariel, Harmony, Kirsten and Nathan Jr (Nathan and Roxanne) and one on the way (Bobby).

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Ellen’s Home South along with Horizon Health Hospice team for the care and concern they provided in Mary’s last months and weeks of this life. Additional thanks to Schmidt & Bartelt for their caring approach and assisting the family with Mary’s final wishes.

Mary’s Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the United Church of Christ (UCC) in Neillsville. Visitation at 10 A.M. with service at 11 A.M., luncheon to follow.

Flowers can be sent to the church address: 515 West 2nd Street Neillsville, WI 54456.