Mary E. Tracy

MARY E. TRACY

Mary E. Tracy passed away peacefully at Bluffview Memory Care surrounded by her family on September 22, 2015.

Mary was born on February 9, 1939, to Rudolph Volten and Esther (Erickson) Volten in West Allis, WI, but she spent the majority of her life in La Crosse.

Mary is survived by her husband Jim, her daughters Sandra Drendel of Omaha, NE, Susan (David) Rudesill of West Salem, WI, and Shannon (Mark) Schneider of Holmen, WI, her grandchildren Travis Rudesill, Ricci Rudesill, Scott Rudesill, Hogan Schneider, Olivia Schneider and Peyton Schneider, her brother Richard (Miriam) Volten, her sister Terri (David) Faas, and multiple nieces , nephews and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Rudolph Volten and Esther Volten Sila, her sisters Arlene Griffin and Lucille King and her first husband, James Drendel.

Mary attended St. Joseph Catholic Grade School and Aquinas High School (1953-1957) in La Crosse.

Mary worked 40 years supervising the ushers for the then Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium and later at the La Crosse Center. She was well known for her ceramic creations and teaching ceramics classes for over 20 years. Mary was the creative force behind the award winning Franciscan Skemp Gift Shop, which she managed for 20 years. How she loved the volunteers in the shop for their many hours of service and dedication in making the gift shop a great success.

Mary and Jim were actively involved in numerous community organizations and festivals. They served as Grenadier Generals for Oktoberfest in 1990 and served in the Corps for seven years. Mary was selected Irish Rose of La Crosse in 2003 by the Shamrock Club of Greater La Crosse. She and Jim reigned as Queen and King of Mardi Gras in 1996. Mary served as chairwoman for Tiny Tim two years and was later awarded the Golden Crutch Award from the group for her years of work with the organization.

Mary enjoyed every aspect of life with her friends and family, especially the time spent with her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling in the US and abroad, and really enjoyed trips to Cape Coral, FL in the winter.

The family will greet guests for a celebration of Mary`s life at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska on Tuesday, September 29 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesday, September 30 from 9 a.m. until the Mass of Resurrection at 10:30 a.m. The Very Reverend Steven P. Kachel and Robert Cook will officiate. Lunch will immediately follow at Cedar Creek Golf Club.

Blaschke Schneider Funeral Home is assisting the family. Memorials may be given to Franciscan Skemp Auxiliary, 700 West Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54601, the Aquinas Catholic Schools Foundation, 315 11^th Street South, La Crosse, WI 54601, or the Coulee Region Humane Society, 900 Critter Court, Onalaska, WI 54650.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Bluffview Memory Care for their kindness and care of Mary.