Mary L. Eich

Mary (Boyer) Eich, age 97, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 14, 2025, with her family around her.

Mary was born on February 13, 1928, in Galesburg, IL to Abel and Chloe (Cravens) Boyer. She graduated from Galesburg High School, and married Robert Bainter. They moved to Belleville, WI and had two children, James and Roberta (Robin), before Robert was tragically killed in a car accident on July 4, 1950, shortly before the birth of their daughter.

Mary scrambled to support the family as a widow, learning to drive, getting her license and a car, and a job at Badger Ordinance in Baraboo, WI. Later, while taking the children home to visit family in Galesburg, she met Leonard (Red) Eich at his friend's gas station en route. The young couple began dating and eventually married on Nov 28, 1953. The newlyweds moved to Prairie du Sac, WI together, and welcomed three more children to the family (David, Jennifer, and John), as the family followed Red's work promotions at WI Power & Light to Cassville and Middleton, WI. They built their dream house in the country near Martinsville, WI, with 40 acres that they adored and worked on for 41 years.

Mary enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, art painting, socializing with friends, and life-long learning through the ever-present radio tuned to WI Public Radio. She took many classes over the years in sewing and gardening and had a sharp eye for fashion. She loved to discuss current events and politics and was always interested in what her children and grandchildren were learning in school. She volunteered in the school system and the polls, and after becoming a Master Gardener, shared that expertise at community events.

She moved to Oakwood Village in 2013, where she enjoyed her time and the friends she made there.

She was preceded in death by her parents Abel and Chloe, her half siblings Annette and Arvid, her husbands Robert Bainter and Leonard Eich, her eldest children James and Robin, and her granddaughter Sarah. She is survived by her children David (Sophie), Jennifer (Salvador Fernandez), and John (Kathy), 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on October 11th in the chapel at Oakwood Village East, at 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison, WI 53718, with a visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406