Maryann J. Thayer

MCFARLAND - Maryann Thayer, 92, of McFarland, Wis., our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, June 24, 2021, after a valiant battle with colorectal cancer. Maryann was born May 3, 1929, in Madison, Wis., to Edward and Thelma Reuschlein. Growing up in a modest family, she didn’t have the opportunity to obtain an advanced education, but she was well read and one of the wisest women you could ever meet who frequently imparted life lessons to all those she loved. Her children’s friends all called her “Ma” and remember her for her kindness, compassion, and generosity. She made everyone feel welcome in her home and always supported and fought for the underdogs! Maryann loved to read, spend time with family and friends and really enjoyed her many travels around the world to places like Italy, England, Dubai, Hawaii, California, Nevada, and Florida. She lived a full life as a wonderful mother, grandmother, and hard worker to support her family as a widow for so many years. She was one of those rare selfless individuals who truly made the world a better place. She was an extraordinary, kind, strong, loving person whom we were privileged to call Mom, G, Grams or Ma. Maryann’s world revolved around her family. In John 15:12-13 it reads, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus lays down his life, and we are called to do the same. There is no doubt that Maryann laid down her life in service to her family. Maryann was a loving and devoted mother to her eight children, Marion (Mick) Thayer, Marlene Finger, Mary Liddicoat, Deb (Dan) Furniss, Tammy Thayer, David Thayer, Laura Hermanson, and son Ed who passed away in September 2020. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She is further survived by her 20 grandchildren, Bill Ninedorf, Chad Thayer, Korry (Gabby) Thayer, Melissa Thayer, Sarah (Luke) Patterson, Shareen Ali, Jamie (Marcelo) Guimareans (Hermanson), Jessica Hermanson, Joseph Real, Kassondra Thayer, Kandace Suchomel, Amber Kopplin, Mike (Samantha) Kopplin, Derek (Stephanie) Furniss, Zach (Carly) Furniss, Dan (Heidi) Finger, Tara (DJ) Thayer, Vanessa (Shawn) Thayer, Tim Liddicoat and Tracy (Lonnie) Hauge, as well as 35 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She is further survived by the entire extended Glenn Patrick (“Pat”) Killerlain family whom she loved dearly, two loving nephews, Gary (Kathy) and Larry Rockwell and their children, as well as wonderful neighbors/friends, Larry and Lois Pfister and Darrell and Debra Braun. She was preceded in death by her son, Edward (“Eddy”) Thayer and his wife, Pam Thayer, her parents, Edward and Thelma Reuschlein; husband, Marion (“Mike”) Thayer, who left this world at the young age of 46; special brothers, Bill and Junior; very special partner, Glenn (“Pat”) Killerlain; and two very dear friends, Mary Hermanson and Judy Goodnature. Maryann believed in the Lord and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Luke 1:37 reads, “For no word from God will ever fail.” Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Mom read the Lord’s prayer every night with her daughter and slept with her bible. If we as a family put our trust in God, we have hope for eternal life. Our dearest mother will be greatly missed for her servant heart, kindness, selflessness, deep genuine concern for others, and generosity among many other things. She frequently said, “Do onto others as you wish them to do onto you” and “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Her life was a living example of Ephesians 4:32 - “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” A celebration of Maryann’s life will be held at DOOR CREEK CHURCH, 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, WI, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 1, 2021, followed by a luncheon at the church. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Mom, you will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts! Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420