Mary Lou Brieske
January 18, 1938 - January 25, 2014
Obituary
MIDDLETON-Mary Lou Brieske, age 76, of Middleton, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Artisan Senior Living in Middleton. She was born on Jan. 18, 1938, in Lima, Ohio to Lois and Walter Annis. Soon after, they moved to Watertown where she graduated from high school. She attended UW-Whitewater and received a degree in elementary education and was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. Mary Lou met her husband George Brieske while attending the university. They were married in August of 1960 and moved to Middleton in 1966. Mary Lou was a beloved second grade teacher at Sauk Trail Elementary in Middleton for over 30 years. In addition, she was active in several bridge groups, volunteered at St Luke's Lutheran church, and raised three children and her grandson.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Timothy Brieske and his wife, Dr. Sheila Patel and grandchildren, Isaac and Sonya Brieske of Carlsbad Calif.; daughter, Sara McCann and her husband, Jim McCann and granddaughter, Caroline of Palm Beach, Fla.; daughter, Martha Brieske of Great Falls, Mont.; grandson, Brandon Brieske of Madison; and brother, Steve Annis and family of Watertown.
A celebration of Mary Lou's life will take place Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at ST. LUKE’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Luke’s Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
Events
Visitation
Fri Feb 21, 2014 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Luke's Lutheran Church • 7337 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562
Service
Fri Feb 21, 2014 @ 11:00 AM CDT
St. Luke's Lutheran Church • 7337 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562
Photos
No photos of Mary have been shared yet.
Memories
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Lynda Nelson
Other •
I missed seeing Mary Lou in church recently. It was always a joy to watch her interacting with the young children and we appreciated her extra hands and willingness to help when we had our young children in church. We were sad to hear of her passing and send our condolences to Brandon and all her family and friends. Lynda and Jeff Nelson, St Luke's Lutheran, Middleton
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Pam and Ron Brys
Other •
To the entire Brieske family:
Our deepest sympathy to you all.
Mary Lou was a wonderful neighbor and friend. It takes someone special to know that at anytime night or day if we needed anything she would only be a knock on the door away.
If there is anything the family needs, please feel free to let us know.
Though we may not live next to the Brieske family anymore. We'll always be neighbors.
Ron, Pam, Luke and Jessica Brys
She will be greatly missed.
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Mike Adler
Other •
Mary Lou taught our children in elementary school. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Brieske Family.
Mike and Greta Adler
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Don Niemi
Other •
Don Niemi & Mary Wesemann Niemi
We both knew Mary Lou for many years. Don met her when she moved to Watertown; they were in the same Sunday School and confirmation class at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Mary met her in 1954 when the Wesemann family sold their farm and moved to Watertown, next door to the Annis family on River Drive. The three of us were classmates at Watertown High School. We were in band and orchestra together; Mary Lou and Mary were the band librarians. Mary Lou and Mary both studied elementary education and music at Whitewater and played in the college band. They roomed together as sophomores and again as seniors, when they lived in the Delta Zeta sorority house. Mary Lou was in our wedding party when we were married in 1961. We both have many memories of a kind and thoughtful woman with a beautiful smile and a big heart. We extend our sympathy to her children, grandchildren, and her brother Steve.
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Brenda Krupa
Other •
Dear Tim, Sheila and family,
I was sorry to read of your Mom's passing, but her life sounds like it was well-lived. Please know you are in my thoughts.
Brenda Krupa
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Ginny Nelson
Other •
Some of the happiest hours of my daughters' childhood were spent in Mrs. Brieske's classroom. Although it has been decades since they were in second grade. I suspect they would still be happy to hear her read Charlotte's Web or Trumpet of the Swan. My thoughts are with all of her family.
Ginny Nelson