Mary Klieforth Wrasse's Obituary
MARY KLIEFORTH WRASSE
Mary Klieforth Wrasse, age 79, of Oshkosh, died on November 15, 2014 at Evergreen Creekview Center after a brief illness. Mary was born June 18, 1935, the daughter of Helen and Ralph Klieforth, who preceded her in death. She has two brothers, Ralph Klieforth of Plesantville, NY and John Klieforth (Elizabeth) of Golden, CO. She has two sisters, Helen Shenefield (Eugene, deceased) and Ann Marie Luker (Leon) both of Oshkosh.
Mary married William Wrasse in Oshkosh where the two of them raised six children: Thomas (Joella), Arbor Vitae, WI; John (his special friend Tracy Troudt), Tampa, FL; William (Kris), Durand, WI; Kathleen Grasley (Patrick), Oshkosh, WI; Mark (Sarah), Green Bay, WI; and Mark Sizer (Mike Howard), Denver, CO. Though this marriage ended in divorce, Mary remained friends with Bill and his wife, Fleurette. How she laughed when the three of them got together at family gatherings. Mary has 10 grandchildren whom she loved dearly. They are Tom’s sons Ryan (Suzanne), Washington, D.C.; Alex (Marshalltown, IA); and Adam, Woodruff, WI; Bill’s sons Jake and Ben, Durand, WI; Mark’s sons Elliott and Nicholas, Green Bay, WI; and Kate’s children Bill, Joe and Molly, all of Oshkosh, WI. She also had many nieces and nephews with whom she was very close. Three nephews, Larry Luker, Leon Luker Jr. and Christopher Shenefield preceded her in death.
Mary was graduated from Oshkosh High School. In 1953 Mary made her debut at North Shore Country Club in Neenah. Following that she attended Edgewood College in Madison. After raising her children, Mary attended the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh where she took several courses in social work.
Through the years Mary, who had a great love of people, cared for many who were in need. Her services included serving as coordinator and manager of the 24 hour nursing and home care of Marge Ganther, a neighbor. She also started and managed the Oshkosh Diet Center and Slender Center. She was a craft teacher and exercise leader at Oshkosh Care Center and she initiated a diet program at the YMCA which she directed for 10 years.
Mary held many volunteer positions including volunteering at Mercy Medical Center and Visiting Nurse Assn., serving as PTA president at Lakeside School, and volunteering for Cub Scouts, Blue Birds, Place 2 B, International Club, Special Olympics, Friendly Town, Hospice Program, Park View volunteer for 17 years, and a Better Chance sponsor. If ever anyone needed help, Mary was right there to do what was needed.
Mary was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Parish. She belonged to the Ya Ya Sisters, Woman’s Club, Oshkosh Yacht Club and Twentieth Century Club. Mary had many interests in addition to her great love of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed travel, reading, classical music, and visiting with her many friends. She had a great sense of humor, a distinct laugh and loved a good joke. If something went wrong, she was able to ease the tension through laughter. Mary spent her summers in and on the lake where she spent countless hours driving the boat pulling tubers and skiers and packing picnic lunches.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Aurora Dialysis Center for their loving care during the four years Mary received their service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 11:00 am in the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Peters site, 435 High Ave, The Rev Doug LaCaptain officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the Church Wednesday from 9am until the time of services. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.
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