Mary Ellen Kleinsteiber
August 25, 1949 - December 08, 2013
Obituary
OBITUARY FOR MARY E. KLEINSTEIBER
Mary E. Kleinsteiber, age 64, died peacefully on December 8, 2013 at St. Mary’s Hospital after an extended illness. Mary was born on August 25, 1949 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Mary was a sweet, kind, caring, compassionate woman who loved her family and friends; and they loved her back. We are thankful she was a woman of God, and her values will live on in the many lives she touched. She pursued her passion by majoring in elementary education at UW-LaCrosse. Her greatest professional accomplishment was starting a preschool at Holy Cross Lutheran School, where she watched it flourish. The children loved her and anticipated the surprises in “Mrs. K’s Rainbow Bag.” She enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends all over the US. She was a wonderful wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved her husband Larry dearly, and they enjoyed 42 years of marriage. She was proud of her children, Krissy and Katy; and she was blessed to watch them grow, find careers, and marry, adding two wonderful sons to the family. She found endless joy in her two grandchildren, Claire and Mark, whom she adored. She is survived by her husband Larry, daughters Kristin (Shawn) Wisniewski and Katherine (Jeremy) Kiley, grandchildren Claire and Mark Wisniewski, sister Suzanne (George) Wells and children Anne, Daniel, Michael, Amanda, and Taylor. She was preceded in death by parents Clifford and Clara Schroeder, granddaughter Suzanne, and numerous other relatives. Visitation is scheduled at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday, December 12, 2013. Funeral services are to be held at ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH, 6815 Schneider Road, Middleton on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 11 AM with visitation from 10 AM until time of service. Interment will be in Sunset Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Mary’s name to Holy Cross Lutheran Preschool, 2670 Milwaukee Street in Madison, WI 53704 or New Hope Christian School, 1850 American Drive in Neenah, WI 54956. Sincere thanks to Dr. Prendergast, her oncologist of 25 years; Dean Hematology/Oncology Clinic Staff; St. Mary’s Hospital Surgery and Procedure Staff; and the Madison Fire Department Paramedics. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12.
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave
608-831-6761
www.gundersonfh.com
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Memories
DM
Deb Marsh
Other •
Always fun, always a laugh . . . . Mary was a special cousin who we loved to be with. Whenever we had the chance to be together she always had a plan for fun. Our thoughts and prayers are with Larry, Kris, Katie, Suzanne and their families. Keep Mary's smile in your hearts. Love Cousin, Debbie
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Stephen Hinck
Other •
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary's family. We only shared a short time with Mary and Larry at the lake but found them to be a very outgoing and loving couple. Thanks for the memory we can have.
Steve and Audre Hinck
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Lowell and Barbara Mays
Other •
our deep sympathy comes to you in your special need. you are very well respe c.f. ted. Lowell and Barbara Mays.
PJ
Phyllis Johns
Other •
Dear Larry, Kristen, and Katie,
Please accept my sympathy on the death of your beloved Mary, wife, mother, and good friend to many.
I had wanted to attend the visitation and services today, but I have been having some medical problems and had an MRI* scheduled today. Mary was a dear friend and her love and enthusiasm as she fed Jesus' Little Lambs at HCL in preschool and also the 8th grade class Jennifer was privileged to be in, were a blessing to HCL. Her beautiful picture brings back a flood of warm memories; I was sorry to read she had suffered from medical problems for 25 years. It's wonderful she had such a loving family to support her and to know she is now celebrating and resting comfortably in the arms of her dear Savior.
Jim and I , as well as my daughters, know from experience the grief and pain of losing a spouse or parent is a painful and challenging process. It won't be easy, but with the help of family and friends and your Loving Savior, you will slowly heal. There were times I thought I couldn't handle it anymore, but the Lord did the impossible--healing the pain and teaching me to focus on my wonderful blessings and memories of dear Curt.
Be assured you are in my prayers. The many prayers in my behalf were an important part of my healing.
I had a friend who had been widowed about 5 years before I was. She constantly told me "you will be happy again" but I didn't really believe I would be. The Lord did the impossible and the girls and I supported each other for 10 years and made many more memories--it wasn't the life I wanted, but it was the life the Lord knew was best for us according to His Holy Will.
Love and Prayers,
Phyllis Townswick Johns, Jen Bassler, Melissa Nolte, and Ashley Lutz
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Carmen Viner
Other •
Dear Larry, Kristen, Katie, and Suzanne - I just heard about Mary this morning. Please accept my deepest sympathy. After I didn't receive her usual Christmas letter last year, written as only Mary could, I assumed things were not well. The wonderful memories of our years together in high school are numerous. My son, Hunter, who shared 8/25 as a birthday, remembers her as my friend who could tell unique and humorous stories from his mother's past. She will be missed deeply but our lives were richer and blessed for having had her in them, if even for a short time. Rest in peace my dear friend ,"Messes",until we meet again. Love, "Carmie"