Obit: Brzezinski, Mary (1927 - 2013)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Brzezinski, Diermeier, Dietsche, Herbage, Martin, Nowak, Reif, Semski, Vevea

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 3/25/2013

Brzezinski, Mary (Nowak) (29 NOV 1927 - 21 MAR 2013)

Mary Brzezinski, the best wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend went home to God on Thursday March 21st 2013.

She told jokes with a twinkle in her eyes. Her latest favorite "Comfortable" joke will be shared at her funeral Mass which will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marathon on Monday March 25th at 11 am. The Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside.

Visitation will be held on Sunday March 24th at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Marathon from 4pm-8pm and again on Monday from 10am until the time of services at the church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cassel.

She was 85 years old, born on November 29th 1927 in Marathon County, daughter of the late Michael Sr. and Mary (Semski) Nowak.

Mary met the love of her life Adam Brzezinski (deceased) when she was about 3 years old. He saved her life by pulling her out of a burning building. They married years later, April 19th 1947 and lived happily ever after in Edgar, WI. Mary raised 6 children and many animals, sometimes finding it difficult to tell them apart. At times there we so many animals on her property her grandchildren referred to her place as Grandma's Zoo. Mary loved to be surrounded by beautiful flowers and her pets Sammy & Pepper. She often inherited stray animals that found her home as a safe haven.

Mary's caring nature extended beyond her family to a life-long passion of caring for those in need in any way she could. For 30 years Mary cared for disabled individuals in her home. They were collectively known around town as "Mary and her Guys". Mary enjoyed every aspect of taking care of them from cooking and washing clothes to taking them on outings. Mary's love of gardening meant an over abundance of vegetables that were delivered to neighbors, friends and anyone that looked hungry.

Mary had a life-long love affair with gambling, playing cards, fishing and Polish sausage. There were many nights when she would pull in her driveway just as her grandchildren were also getting home from a night out. She especially enjoyed taking her brother Mike and his wife Eline gambling and she sure would have loved one more pull at the slots. Sheepshead was a tradition passed down, it was played at every family gathering and she loved to pound her fist down as she played the Spitz! Fishing with Mary was always an adventure. As soon as the line went taught she would get so excited. Every time she reeled in her catch it was as though she was landing a trophy muskie instead of a 6 inch blue-gill.

As many of you know, Mary was a force to be reckoned with. She often left you surprised and in a cloud of dust, speeding off daring you to keep up with her. Humor and laughter followed her where ever she went.

When asked what they would miss most about her, Mary's great grandchildren responded by saying "her hugs, her laughter, her kisses and that she let us have all the candy we wanted!" Mary will continue to touch many lives as an angel watching over us all. One of her favorite phrases will live deep in our hearts… "I love you more".

Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by brothers, John, Joe and Edwin and sisters, Clara and Della.

Survivors include her children, Sandra (Byron) Herbage, Edgar, Dave (Jackie) Brzezinski, Ringle, Patricia (Steve) Dietsche, Wausau, Monica (Bill) Reif, Marathon, Shirley (Randy) Martin, Marathon, and Mary (Dirk) Vevea, Edgar; grandchildren, Spring, Adam, Matthew (Amoreena), Roger, Charlotte, Rick (Julia), Jamie (Chris), Tim, Josh (Chris), Chris (Dawn), Ryan, Cory (Kim), Dan, Charlie (Amber), Sara (Gregg), Bobbie (Craig), Joe (Jenna); great-grandchildren, Nikki, Jessica, Dane, Allie, Carter, Makenzie, Kenadie, Chloe, Madalyn, Greta, Gabe, Zoe, Liam, Sid, Sawyer, Izabelle, Hailey, Hannah, Miranda, AJ, and AliMae; great great-grandchild, Skyler; brother, Michael (Eline) Nowak, Edgar; and her beloved animals, dog Sammy and bird Pepper.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks and appreciation to the staff in the ICU and Palliative Care Unit at Aspirus hospital for the amazing care given to Mary.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com .