Mary Beyler

WAUNAKEE - Mary L. Beyler passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Agrace Hospice Care.

Our Mom was born on February 25, 1936 in Minneapolis to Harry and Margaret Messer. She attended Sauk City High School and was the Homecoming Queen in 1952. After graduation in 1954, she moved to Madison where she worked at Hult's Chevrolet. It was there that she met our Dad, Thomas Beyler, who was the mailman. Even though our parents were no longer married, they remained good friends until our Dad's passing on July 16, 2004.

They married on April 27, 1957 and had four children; James (Niles, MI), Karen Davidson (Eugene) of Waunakee, Michael of Sauk City and Greg (Kelly Fobes) of Pardeeville.

She was a certified gemologist and worked for Robert Haack Diamonds for many years, managing his stores. She later became a licensed CNA at the age of 60 and with her kind and compassionate way, took care of many people.

Mom was very creative and she loved to make greeting cards. She spent many hours of the day working on that card to get it "just right" so she could send it to that special person. She put a lot of love into each and every one she made. She looked forward to her monthly luncheons with her classmates and recently attended her 60th class reunion on September 13th. She had such a good time that afternoon seeing friends.

We know how much our Mom loved each of us. She always supported us throughout our lives and the decisions we made. As kids she made our holidays so memorable from writing poems about where our Easter baskets were hidden to making the best stuffing at Thanksgiving. She had a wonderful sense of humor and even though these last years she suffered a lot she kept smiling and made the best of each day. So many times when she wasn't feeling her best she would say, "Are we having fun yet?" She was a very strong woman with incredible will power.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Marguerite Frey in 2007. In addition to her children, she is survived by her granddaughter, Chelsea Strangeway of Madison, brother, Harry (Butch) Messer and his wife, Peg of Lake Mills, and her brother-in-law, Cliff Frey of Waunakee. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and close friends that were very dear to her.

We would like to thank Dr. Rosen at the Dean Clinic in Waunakee for his many years of care for our Mom. His kind touch and gentle way with Mom were amazing. We want to thank her in-home hospice team of Melanie, Joanna, and the many CNA's that came to Mom while she lived in Waunakee; with your help she was able to stay in her apartment longer which was so important to her. Thank you to Prairie Gardens Assisted Living in Sun Prairie for the care you gave to Mom, even though it was for a short time, she enjoyed her stay with you. A most heartfelt thank you to Agrace and especially Dr. Kim Kinsley and the countless nurses, CNA's, social workers and volunteers who lovingly cared for our Mom. You are truly the best of the best and we took great comfort in knowing that you were taking good care of our Mom. Your kindness will never be forgotten. A very special thank you to her Hospice volunteer, Eileen, who spent many hours with our Mom at her apartment in Waunakee and Sun Prairie and at Agrace just talking and spending time together. With the many changes Mom had to make these last few months, you were the one thing that didn't change and we appreciate your kindness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC PARISH AT THE ST. JAMES CHURCH, 1134 St. James Ct., Madison, on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Monsignor Tom Baxter officiating. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 from 4 to 7pm at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. She will be laid to rest next to our Dad in Resurrection Cemetery.

Mom kept this saying on her kitchen cupboard and lived this every day: What you do for yourself dies with you. What you do for others lives on.

We love you Mom and we'll always keep you close in our hearts. Silently we grieve and brush away our tears, the memories you left behind will last throughout the years.

Please share memories of Mary at www.CressFuneralService.com

Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434