Obituary for Mary Ann Wilichowski

Mary Ann Wilichowski, age 92, formerly of Marathon City, passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Grace Commons Assisted Living in Menomonee Falls, WI with care provided by Allay Home & Hospice, Inc.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 PM on Friday, September 10, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the Town of Cassel with Rev. Joseph Nakwah officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Family and friends may call on Friday at the church from 12Noon until time of services. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Josh, David Jr. and Paul Wilichowski, Brian Ostrenga, Jack, Sam and Joe Wells. Her granddaughters will act as honorary pallbearers.

Mary Ann Sturgul was born on August 6, 1929 in the Town of Cassel to Joseph and Rosalia (Stencil) Sturgul. She attended Daisy Dell School and Sacred Heart Parochial School. Her marriage to Edwin Wilichowski was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the Town of Cassel on August 6, 1949. They enjoyed 64 loving years of marriage together. Sadly, Edwin passed away on March 25, 2014. After school Mary spent some time in Milwaukee at various jobs before her marriage.

She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was also a member of Sacred Heart Rosary Society and the PCCW.

Mary Ann was a loving mother and loved raising her children and spending time with grandchildren. The sound of children’s voices at her house always made her happy. Mary Ann loved being surrounded by people and visiting. Big family Sunday dinners were always fun. Some of her hobbies included crocheting, putting together puzzles, shopping, finding rummage sales, and playing the card game “Crazy Eight”. She loved watching the “Price is Right, Jeopardy and Family Feud”. She and Edwin often took little day trips to have lunches at little diners and cafes. She loved talking about gardening and flowers. Mary Ann was a wonderful cook and taught her children her skills as well as used them to work at Rib Falls cooking for weddings and special occasions. During the last few years of her life, she loved reminiscing about friends and family. She loved us reading the Record Review and the Cassel Bulletin about what was happening up north where she used to live. Mary Ann also loved music and dancing especially polkas, waltzes and some country. Her children remember that Edwin and Mary Ann’s favorite song to dance to was the Blue Skirt Waltz. Mary Ann truly was Edwin’s “lady in blue”.

Those who will cherish her memory include her five children: Ronald (Mary Kay) Wilichowski of Marathon City, David (Frances) Wilichowski of Boyd, Rosie (Felix) Haase of Milwaukee, John (Mary Carol) Wilichowski of Owen and Annie (Robert) Wells of Colgate; her 14 grandchildren: Josh (Ann) Wilichowski of Stillwater, MN, Laura (James) Anderson of Colorado Springs, CO, Elizabeth (John) Plant of New Berlin, WI,  David Jr (Ellie) Wilichowski of Boyd, Jenny (Keith) Silverling of Thorp, Wendy (Dan) Bibeau of Thorp, Paul (Chelsey) Wilichowski of Boyd, Brian Ostrenga of Milwaukee, Christie Ernest of Oconomowoc, Kayleigh Wilichowski of Owen, Jasmine Wilichowski of Neillsville, Jack Wells of San Diego, CA, Samuel Wells and Joseph Wells of Madison, and her 26 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Rosalia Sturgul; her husband, Edwin Wilichowski; her half-brothers, Peter, Clarence, Ray and her half-sisters, Sophie, Anna, Margaret, Dorothy, and pets Sara and Scooter.

We wish to thank the staff and caregivers at Blu Grotto at Grace Commons for all the wonderful care and love they showed Mary Ann while she was a resident. We also wish to thank Allay Hospice for the care, comfort and attention that was given to her and family in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please give for masses or make donations to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Mary’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.