Mary J. Graf, 84, of Madison, Wisconsin, peacefully passed away on October 27, 2026, surrounded by her family.

She was born on September 1, 1942, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Bruno and Frances Kern.

For over 20 years, Mary owned and operated her own business, serving her local community as an American Family Insurance agent and earning recognition for her exceptional customer service. She was also an active member of numerous non-profit organizations in the communities where she lived and worked throughout her life, including New Holstein, Kiel, Rhinelander, and Madison, Wisconsin, as well as Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her grandson, Bradley Utegaard.

She is survived by her husband, Gene, of Madison, Wisconsin; two daughters, Lisa Utegaard of Wausau, Wisconsin, and Jennifer (Christopher Gruhl) Graf of Madison, Wisconsin; two grandsons, Michael Utegaard and Maxwell Gruhl, both of Madison, Wisconsin; two brothers, James Kern of New Berlin, Wisconsin, and Joe (Patrice) Kern of Orono, Minnesota; one sister, Barbara (Steven) Chelstrom of Savage, Minnesota; and many other family members and friends who will greatly miss her.

A private funeral service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at the chapel in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary’s honor to American Family Children's Hospital, Madison Reading Project , or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, causes that she held close to her heart.

Please share your memories in below in the guestbook. 

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd     Madison

608-238-34343