MADISON - Mary Lou Heiar, age 94, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at UW Hospital and Clinics. She was born on September 5, 1930, in Reedsburg, the daughter of Charles and Florence (Faga) Bodendein.

Mary Lou graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1948. She was united in marriage to Donald Heiar on June 15, 1950, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lime Ridge. Don and Mary Lou owned and operated Freeman Cheese Factory from 1954 until 1966. Then they moved to Richland Center where Mary Lou was a homemaker and took care of her family. In 1990 they retired to the Madison area. They enjoyed spending winters among their snowbird friends.

Mary Lou was a very active member of the Catholic church. She was very devoted to her faith, family and friends. In her free time, she enjoyed volunteering for RSVP, driving people to their appointments.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Tim (Anna) Heiar, Kathryn (Mike) Williams, Glenn (Kathy) Heiar and Monsignor Donald J. Heiar; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Heiar; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Lucas, Lisa, Ross, Casey, Abby and Maggie; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Joan Knuth. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Florence; husband, Don; sons, Steve Heiar and Russell Heiar; brothers, Lyle, Gordon and Robert Bodendein; and sisters, Victoria Hanko, Betty Grusendorf, Cleota Good and Judith Churchill.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, with Monsignor Donn Heiar presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cathedral of St. Bernard Parish Center, Capital Campaign.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Mary Lou Heiar

September 05, 1930 - March 04, 2025

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