Mary Hilda Reuter, age 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones, on Sunday August 2, 2026. She was born in Madison, WI on July 17, 1946 to the late Mildred and Okee (Fosse) Christenson. Mary grew up on the eastside of Madison and graduated from East High School. Mary worked as a receptionist at Forest Products Laboratory in Madison. Mary was a loving wife and mother to Carrie, grandmother to Hanah and Haley, and mother-in-law to Andy Kroening. At a dance in 1968, Mary met the love of her life, Carl Reuter. They married on June 13, 1971 and five years later welcomed their only daughter, Carrie Lynn.

For over 50 years, they lived together in the house that Carl built where Mary was a wonderful homemaker taking great pride in caring for her family. To her there was nothing more precious than being a mother and doting grandmother. She truly adored every minute of it. She also believed a house was not a home with without a beloved golden retriever.

She had a passion for baking. Her favorite Norwegian treat to make was Krumkake. At Christmastime, she loved to gift platters of cookies to others. Mary was very creative and spent many hours making intricate quilts. Her favorite was making baby quilts and she volunteered for the Linus Club donating to hospitalized children. Mary loved to shop and go out to lunch. That was her favorite way to spend the afternoon, she always said “Let’s shop until we drop.”

Mary and Carl were able to enjoy their retirement at their beautiful lake house where Mary loved to sit on the swing watching “diamond on the water”, kayak, feed the hummingbirds, shop in the little boutiques, and cook for their many guests. Her and Carl also enjoyed many fall foliage cruises in their Corvette. But her favorite thing of all was a cocktail cruise around the lake with a glass of white wine and a lot of snacks.

Mary spread lovingkindness and gratitude to everyone she encountered, she was an eternal optimist and will be dearly missed.

Mary is survived by daughter Carrie Kroening, son-in-law Andy Kroening, granddaughters Hanah and Haley Kroening and additional siblings, nieces and nephews and so many great friends.

We would like to give a special thank you to the staff at All Saints Assisted Living and the very loving and caring nurses at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg for your compassionate care of Mary and her family.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at 11:30 on Sunday August 9th at the CRESS CENTER, 6021 University Ave. Madison. A visitation will be held from 10:00 -11:30 until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Agrace Hospice 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, or a charity of your choice.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608)238-8406