Mary Joan Draxler

MADISON-Mary Jo Draxler, age 81, passed away at Agrace HospiceCare on Sunday, July 3, 2016, with her family by her side. She was born on April 10, 1935, in St. Paul, MN, the daughter of Joseph and Fern Krech. Mary Jo married William Draxler in Richfield, MN, on Dec. 27, 1958. She attended the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Education. Mary Jo subsequently earned a Master's degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In 1964, she started teaching in Madison, WI at Madison Area Technical College (MATC) and as a substitute teacher for Madison public schools. Later she transitioned to working in the Business Open Lab and then to a full time instructor position at MATC. She enjoyed staying current on business technology and teaching the new tools to others. Throughout this time, students knew she cared about their success and had a desire to help them through her patience, active listening and ability to keep her cool. In 1992, she was recognized as "Distinguished Teacher of the Year" in Office Technology at MATC. She retired from MATC in 1995. Mary Jo was involved in the shawl ministry for St. Dennis Catholic Church. She loved nature and was an avid bird watcher. She enjoyed spending her winter months in Sun City West, AZ since the late 1990's. Mary Jo had a love for life and would brighten a room with her contagious smile. When she smiled you couldn't help but smile with her. Mary Jo is survived by her son, Paul (Paula); her daughter, Julie (Tom) Meditz; grandchildren, Rory, Lindsay, Jonathan (Angelina), Zachary, and Nicole; great-grandchildren, Nixon, Nathen, Harper, Ethen; sisters-in-law, Fran Hinkley, Rena (Kenneth) Rutlin, Joan Flannery; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Francis Krech and Fern Lucille (Newcomb) Krech; husband, William Gregory Draxler; brothers-in-law, John Draxler, Vernon Draxler. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2016, and at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 29th, 2016, at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd, Madison, with a funeral service at 10:30 a.m., with Father Randy Timmerman presiding. A luncheon will follow at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Dennis Catholic Church or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420