Mary Mackey Willett

Mary (Mackey) Willett, age 71, left this world peacefully on May 19, 2025 at House of the Dove in Marshfield. She was born on September 19, 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa, the first of four children, and only daughter, of Milford and Margaret Mackey. The family settled in Guttenberg, Iowa and built the local SuperValue grocery store.

Mary graduated from Guttenberg High School in 1971, went to Marycrest College in Davenport, IA, and then transferred to Iowa State University where she graduated with a degree in English. Mary pursued teaching in rural Iowa for 2 years and then at Prentice High School. Shortly thereafter, she opened her own design business, Designer North, after graduating with a degree in Interior Design from the University of Minnesota. Mary and her first husband, Bradley Moser, also operated Phillips Veterinary Clinic until it was sold.

Mary found her true passion in public service. She served on the local city council in Phillips, WI and later ran for State Assembly in Wisconsin. This led to her appointment by Governor Tommy Thompson and then by Governor Scott McCallum in a cabinet role of “Governor of the North.” In addition, she served as Congressman Sean Duffy’s local representative for the 7th District of Wisconsin. She was proud to be selected as the Wisconsin delegate for the Republican party for the presidential election nominating George W. Bush as president twice in both New York and Philadelphia. Her service roles led her to further her studies completing her MPA in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Mary worked as City Clerk of Phillips, WI, and City Administrator of both Holmen, Wisconsin, and Guttenberg, Iowa. Mary was a member of the State of Wisconsin Humanities Council, State of Wisconsin Capital and Residence Board, member of the Phillips United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison. Her career ended working for her beloved husband, Stephen, in his law office in Phillips, Wisconsin.

Mary was united in marriage to Stephen D. Willett on November 23, 2001 in Madison, Wisconsin. They blended their families and cherished their time with each of their children in the beautiful Northwoods. Their home was a central meeting point during their kids childhood, and Mary always enjoyed hosting them—her motto was definitely “the more the merrier”. Mary had a heart of gold and loved to learn and read. She had a genuine personality that made strangers feel like best friends. Mary truly loved serving in government roles and standing up for the constituents of her community and she made public speaking seem easy. Her laugh was contagious, and her wittiness was unmatched. Cooking and rock music were her outlets. A prior percussionist, you could find her listening to David Bowie, Van Halen and Bon Jovi when she was lounging by her pool. In high school she was a competitive swimmer and diver, and her love for the pool persisted into adulthood. She enjoyed her flower garden and looked forward to the spring and summer blooms. The friendships formed from her hometown of Guttenberg and nearly 50-year residence in Phillips gave her a purpose.

Her pride and joy was her family. She unselfishly became guardian of her sister-in-law, Jody (Moser) May and brother-in-law, Francis Moser, raising them both as her own children, and was devastated by both of their passing in 2021 due to Huntington’s Disease, which also took the life of her first husband, Bradley Moser, that same year. She dedicated time and fundraising efforts to help the HD community find a cure for the disease. She was passionate about the cause which devastated her family. She was extremely proud of her oldest daughter, Nicole, who opened CoLeighCo Salon in downtown Madison, WI and her youngest daughter Megan Eisel, who founded Driftless Skin Center in Dubuque, IA. Her favorite role was grandmother. Her smile lit up a room when she was at their sporting and school events, which she would drop everything to be in attendance. In the last year of her life, she was ecstatic to be close to her daughter, Megan, and her family in Dubuque, Iowa.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Stephen D. Willett; loving mother, Margaret Mackey; daughters, Nicole Moser and Megan (Jeff) Eisel; step-children, Erika (Scott) Willett and Bryce (April) Willett; her grandchildren, Estella Eisel, Sophia Willett, and Logan McLaughlin; brothers, David Mackey, Donald (Carol) Mackey and Dale Mackey; brother-in-law, Joe May; sisters-in-law, Melissa Moser, Nancy Willett, and Joan (Terry) Brozick; and nieces and nephews Jacqueline Moser, Dean Moser, Francesca Moser, Cabot May, James May, Paul Mackey and Philip Mackey. Mary was preceded in death by her father, Milford Mackey; father of her daughters, Bradley Moser; and guardian children, Jody Moser May and Francis Moser.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 30, 2025 at Trinity Methodist Church1123 Vilas Avenue in Madison. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, in Madison. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 AM until the time of services at church.

Please share your memories of Mary by posting in her Guestbook.

Cress Funeral Services

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434