Obit: Staut, Mary (1919-2005)

Contact: Shari
Email: steppinwest@elknet.net

Surnames: Follmar, Malnar, Mertens; Staut, Friedman, Nething, Murphy, Spagna; Volovsek, Flis, Jeras, Fraid, Lohrman

----Sources: TRG, Volume 112, Number 42 Oct. 19, 2005 edition

MARY STAUT (May 28, 1919 - October 15, 2005)

Mary Staut, 86, Greenwood, died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at the Clark County Health Care Center, Owen, Wis. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Hoy Family Catholic Church, Willard. Concelebrating the Mass of Christian Burial was the Rev. Joseph Follmar, Monsignor Matthew Malnar, Independence, and the Rev. Michael Mertens, La Crosse. Burial was in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Greg Staut, Tony Staut, Tim Staut, Andy Staut, Paul Staut, Aaron Staut, and Steve Friedman. Gift bearers and readers were granddaughters Aimee Nething, Becky Staut, Jani Friedman, Julie Murphy, and Jodi Spagna.

Mary Francis Volovsek was born May 28, 1919, to Frank and Anna (nee Flis) Volovsek, in Menomonee Falls. Her family moved to the Willard area in 1926, where she continued her education, then helped raise her younger brothers and sisters (there were 12 in all), before moving to Milwaukee for employment. She married Janvid J. "Vitko" Staut on Oct. 19, 1940, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. After their third child was born in Milwaukee, they moved back to the Willard area to raise their family. She actively participated in the church choir, numerous church and Slovenian organizations and events, and held various offices in the Catholic Council of Women and the Willard Homemakers. Gardening was one of her favorite hobbies. In 1963, they moved to La Crosse, where they resided until her husband's retirement. Relocating back to Willard, she rejoined the church choir and her beloved Slovenian Singers. She was past president of the Slovenian Women's Union Branch 102, and was instrumental in reviving the organization to regional and national recognition. Her enthusiasm and organizational skills were evident in many facets of her life. She will be remembered most for her steadfast efforts in preserving the Slovenian language and traditions in Willard and the surrounding areas. She and her husband traveled to Slovenia several times, maintaining close contact with many friends and relatives.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 65 years, Vitko Staut, Greenwood; three children, John (Sophia) Staut, Onalaska, Vic (Myra) Staut, Hammond, and Mary Anne (Mike) Friedman, Denver, CO; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Stanley (Darlene) Volovsek, Greenwood, Tony Volovsek, Kamiah, ID, and John Volovsek, Eagle Pass, TX; two sisters, Marge Jeras, Apache Junction, AZ, and Betty Fraid, West Allis; and other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two sisters, Anna Lohrman and Elizabeth Volovsek; four brothers, Frank, Joe, Al, and William Volovsek; two nephews, Mike Volovsek and David Volovsek; and an infant granddaughter, Angelica Staut.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, assisted with arrangements.