Mary Conder

MADISON- Mary Esther Conder (n� Zeratsky), age 91, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2016.

Mary was a talented artist, astute businesswoman, gracious hostess, and devoted friend, but she considered her greatest accomplishment and purpose in life raising her three children. She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren and in the last year of her life was delighted by the birth of her great grandson. Mary was born and raised in Marinette, Wisconsin. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in art education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she was a member of Alpha Phi International Women's Fraternity. Mary subsequently taught in New York, New York, and Marinette, Wisconsin. In 1951, Mary married Verne Conder in San Francisco, California, where they lived until moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1956. In Green Bay, Mary and Verne raised their three children and together conducted Verne's architectural business, with Mary as the business manager. During the thirty-two years in Green Bay, Mary was active in St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Symphony Guild, and all of her children's sports, music, and school activities. Mary and Verne moved to DeForest, Wisconsin when they moved their architectural business in 1988. A subsequent move took them to Madison.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, George and Sigrid (n� Johnson) Zeratsky, and her husband, Verne Conder.

She is survived by children, Beth (Robert) Vorpahl, Bloomington, Minnesota; Lynn (Steven) Lorton, Madison, Wisconsin; Paul Conder, Green Bay, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Stephanie Vorpahl, Haiku, Hawaii; David (Rita) Vorpahl, St. Louis Park, Minnesota; great grandson, Jacob Vorpahl; twin sister, Maryan Weifenbach, Yorba Linda, California; nieces and nephews.

Mary's family thanks the caregivers at Sunny Hill/Magnolia Hill Healthcare Center, Oakwood Village West, and Heartland Hospice for their kindness and devotion to Mary.

A memorial service will be held at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. A visitation will be held on Monday at the funeral home from 11:30am until the time of service. A private interment was held at Sunset Memory Gardens, Madison.

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