Mrs. Shari L. Mackesey

COTTAGE GROVE - Shari L. Mackesey, age 53, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at home, of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). She was born on Sept. 6, 1958, in Madison, the daughter of Jack and Delores Ewers. Shari attended LaFollette High School, graduating with the class of 1976. She married Art Mackesey on March 22, 1983. Shari worked for Homburg Contractors Inc. for 14 years. Her love for animals, which included having horses since she was 12 years old, led her to opening her own business, Door Creek Pet Grooming, which she owned and operated for 12 years. Shari enjoyed biking, yard work, camping trips to Wisconsin Dells water parks with her three sons and their friends, and anything outdoors and spending time at their cottage in Beaver Dam. She loved going to the Packers, Badgers and Monona Grove football games and the Brewers baseball games. She had lots of fun playing slot machines and going to garage sales to find great bargains. Shari also enjoyed weekend getaways with her girlfriends. She is survived by her father, Jack Ewers; husband, Art; three sons, Lee, Jack and Rob; sisters, Kathy (Mike Ruhde) Ewers and Terri (Joe Peterson) Ewers Rahn; nephews, Alex Ewers and Derek Rahn; great-niece, Kailee; aunts, Maxine Dull and Melva Glasgow; mother and father-in-law, Dick and Jackie Mackesey; sisters-in-law; and brothers-in-law, Deb (Mark) Homan, Mike (Carolyn) Mackesey, Theresa (Tim) Wilson, Dave (Lynda) Mackesey, Rich (Tammy) Mackesey and Bill (Lori) Mackesey; many nieces, nephews, other friends and relatives; and her canine companion, Scout. She was preceded in death by her mother, Delores Ewers, in 2010. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, with Father Kent Schmitt and Deacon David Hendrickson presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens on Cottage Grove Road with a private family service at a later date. Shari wanted to thank the home health care she received, first from UW Home Health, then Agrace HospiceCare, (especially Nikki), and her night time aide and friend, Cathy. Also, a special thanks to her dad, Jack, sister, Kathy, and many more dear friends and relatives that helped her out in her time of need. Shari was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Cemetery: Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens on Cottage Grove Road with a private family service at a later date. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, with Father Kent Schmitt and Deacon David Hendrickson presiding.