Mary Lou LaBissoniere
July 10, 1926 - April 26, 2026
Obituary
MONONA, Wis. - Mary Louise Dorr LaBissoniere, 99 years of age, passed from this world into the arms of her Heavenly Father on April 26, 2026. Mary Lou was born on July 10, 1926, in Milwaukee, Wis. She was the third and youngest child of Dr. Addison M. Dorr and Anna M. Wellauer Dorr.
Growing up in Wauwatosa, Wis., Mary Lou was educated at St. Jude’s Parish School, often roller skating to class. Mary Lou, whose family were founding members of St. Jude the Apostle Church, was one of 12 in her eighth grade graduating class. She then attended Holy Angels Academy (now Divine Savior Holy Angels - Go Dashers!) and served as Girls Sports Captain for one year. After graduating from high school in 1944, Mary Lou attended Mount Mary College (now University), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in 1948. Following college, Mary Lou interned one year at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass. She then was employed until her marriage at Muirdale Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Milwaukee as a dietitian.
After two years of courtship, Mary Lou married the love of her life, John C. LaBissoniere on May 17, 1958, at St. Jude Church. John and Mary Lou settled in Madison and then in Monona, Wis. in 1960, where she spent the rest of her life. Mary Lou was dedicated to supporting her husband of 48 years, while raising four boys into adulthood.
She excelled at cooking and was an accomplished swimmer, as her family had a residence on Pewaukee Lake for over 60 years. Swimming until the age of 93, Mary Lou was a charter member of the Monona Pool’s “Deep-Enders” club, which swam in the diving well during adult swim hours. Mary Lou and John were members of the Madison Night Owls Dance Club, at one time serving as officers. She was also the last surviving member of “The Regulars” which consisted of John’s two brothers and sister and their spouses. Mary Lou often cooked for the group’s many dinner parties. She also enjoyed watching movie musicals from Hollywood’s golden age, television mysteries such as Perry Mason and Murder She Wrote, murder mysteries of the British kind and Lawrence Welk with grandson, Jacob.
Mary Lou is survived by her four boys, Dennis (Carol), Thomas (Mariterese), Timothy (Nancy) and Michael (Lisa); as well as grandchildren, Cherie LaBissoniere (spouse, Alex Roberts), Jack, Laura and Jacob LaBissoniere. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, John; her mother and father; brother, Dr. Thomas W. Dorr; and sister, Barbara Ann Dorr Reddy.
A longtime member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, Mary Lou’s Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. A private graveside service will follow the Mass at Highland Memory Gardens, Madison, Wis.
The LaBissoniere family expresses its sincere thanks to Agrace HospiceCare and caregiver, Solongomaa “Sonya” Tserendorj. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Agrace HospiceCare would be appreciated.
Mom’s verse: For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved - Romans 10:13.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420