Mary Lou Geppert

Please click on the link below to register to view the Memorial Gathering livestream on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 11:00am.

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=ffa895fe-f954-4456-8709-c3ac47d14a3e

Madison – Mary Lou Holgate Geppert, age 92, died peacefully on February 16, 2024.

 Born February 17, 1932, in Mount Vernon, South Dakota, she attended high school in Mobridge, SD, where her father was principal and superintendent, and her mother taught chemistry.  After graduating in 1950, Mary attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in social work in 1954.   She served on the University Social Committee, the Association of Women Students, and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, serving as second semester president her junior year, along with her future sister-in-law, Jean Geppert Orr.  

 In fact, it was Jean’s efforts to enlist her younger brother Charles in the sorority rush of Mary that led to the famous “Coke Date” that resulted in the marriage of Mary Lou and Charles Henry on June 7, 1955, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion.   After brief stays in Saint Louis, MO, Minneapolis, MN, and Fort Hood, TX, Mary and Charles settled in Madison for the remainder of their 34-year marriage.  During her years in Madison, Mary was an active participant in the Attic Angel Association and the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a volunteer with Mobile Meals, the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, and the Dane County Hospice Committee, a (somewhat reluctant) spectator at University of Wisconsin sporting events, an avid bridge and mahjong player, a vociferous reader and “One O’clock Book Club” member, an engaged resident of the Tamarack Trails Community, an adventurous traveler, and a lifelong friend to many.  

 Mostly Mary was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always made you feel like you were the most important person in the world, because to her in that moment you were.

 Mary was preceded in death by her parents Everett and Iva Holgate, her brother E.J. Holgate, her husband Charles Geppert, and her grandchildren Brad and Charlie Geppert.   She is survived by her sister Holly Walton and her children John (Rebecca) Geppert of Middleton, WI, Amy (John) Ross of Fairbanks, AK, Beth (Charles) Longtine of Westminster, CO, and Jeffrey (Cathryn) Geppert of Columbus, OH.  She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

 Her family is grateful to the staff of Beehive Homes of Mount Horeb, WI and Agrace Hospice for the compassionate care of our mother in her final years.

 A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday February 21, 2024 with a time of gathering beginning at 10:00am followed by a brief memorial service starting at 11:00am at Cress Funeral & Cremation Service, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705 (608-238-3434).  

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lymphoma & Leukemia Association, https://givenow.lls.org/give/342076/?ds_rl=1278572&gad_source=1&ds_rl=1278572&gclid=CjwKCAiAlcyuBhBnEiwAOGZ2S-kHvZ3scVeTSp3f12LR4aPjrO9JjUwtuOcSudmgnG-lMvC252V6BhoC3PQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#!/donation/checkout.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com