Mary Louise Cunningham

Mary Louise (née Sholtes) Cunningham died on August 23, 2025. As one family member said, “She was a grand woman,” and indeed, she was. Her absence leaves an enormous hole in our lives. Born in Slinger, WI on June 22, 1931, she grew up in Richland Center, WI, where she met the love of her life, Milfred (Mel) Cunningham. They were married in 1953, and spent the first year of their 64 years of married life (and welcomed their first daughter) on the southwestern coast of France, where Mel was stationed with the US Air Force. It was a place she dreamed of returning to for the rest of her life. 

Upon returning from France, they settled and remained in Madison, WI, where they welcomed two more daughters and a son to the family. In 1965 they purchased a lot in the UW Arboretum neighborhood. With the help of renowned architect Herb Fritz Jr. they designed their dream home, based on a hexagon, with no right angles. Mary adored being there, surrounded by nature, until the end of her life. Mary was a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, and grandma. She was a seeker, an artist, a poet, a musician, an entrepreneur. She continually explored and embraced new knowledge and experiences and always brought others along on her journeys. 

As a young person, Mary yearned to study anthropology, but her practical father insisted she choose a course of study that would support her, so she chose Business Administration for her degree. Her business training came into play when she started the Arts and Crafts Co-op as an outlet for many local artists to showcase and sell their work. That business thrived for many years just off upper State Street in Madison. Later in life she studied Computer Programming and worked for the State of Wisconsin as a programmer for the Department of Health and Human Services. An accomplished painter and poet, she leaves behind large bodies of beautiful and amazing works. She delighted in the absurd and pushed boundaries whenever she had the chance. 

She introduced her children to music, cooking, sewing, political activism, and camping; to the wonders to be found in nature­­ (taking the family on many guided walks through the UW Arboretum); to the mysteries of the Universe and a thousand other things. She adored her children and grandchildren and all of the delights they brought to her life. She is survived by daughters Cynthia (Jody) Baxter; Tanya (Neil Robinson) Cunningham; Leslie Cunningham; son John (Amy) Cunningham; grandchildren Danu (Jordan) Schoeck and Atea Baxter; Jake Robinson; Meghan, Jack, Ellie and Brynn Cunningham; great-grandchildren Austin and Jayda Schoeck; many loving nieces and nephews; and brother Fred. Mary is predeceased by her husband, Milfred; parents, Nicolas and Freda (née Rothenbach) Sholtes; and siblings Lillian, John, and Richard.

A memorial gathering will take place at a later date, information will be added to the Cress website at Cress Website , where condolences and remembrances can be shared. To contact the family directly: baxter.cynthia@gmail.com