Mary V. Hurley

HURLEY, Mary Violet (Vi) Sokolik

Mary Violet (Vi) Hurley passed away in her home on Friday, July 6^th, 2018, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Mary, born October 21st, 1920, was the last child born to Joseph and Mariann (Janouch) Sokolik of La Crosse, Wis.  Mary grew up across the street from St. Rose Convent; attending Lincoln elementary and graduating from Central High School in 1939. Her first job post high school was at Northern Engraving Company where she continued to work until it moved to Sparta in the 1960’s. From there she went on to work at Barron’s which later became Herberger’s before finally retiring from Doerflinger’s. Mary married Wilfred (Bud) Hurley, Caledonia, Minn, on April 4th, 1948 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, La rosse, Wis.  They had four children together.

Mary was a delightful lady.  Friends and family enjoyed her friendly, heart-warming spirit and infectious laugh. Mary retired at age 62, and from that day forward she made sure every day was special, enjoying family and friendships. Mary and her cronies enjoyed bus trips, cruises and cross-country travel. Shopping was her passion, as she was always in search of the best deal and keeping an eye out for new markdowns. Mary had a deep appreciation for music moving from the days of the Victrola, to the tube short wave radio, to concerts and live musical plays. As a loyal Viterbo Fine Arts Center season ticket holder, she was awarded special reserved seating as her sight deteriorated from macular degeneration.  She became a professional dog sitter, a traveling food critic, an avid movie buff, a voracious reader of mystery and romance, a lover of Big Band music and everything that glittered.  Mary was recognized as the “Hat Lady,” a title she developed modeling millinery for Aletta’s Hat shop on Seventh Street. Her poise and fashion sense were often recognized, always eloquently coordinated from head to toe.

Mary is lovingly survived by her children: Patricia Hurley, Cathleen (Tom) Marpe, and James (Kris Borne) Hurley; extended family, Nancy Hurley and Maureen Hurley; eight grandchildren: Amy, Heidi, Kathleen, Mary, Meghan, Mikayla, Leah, and James; and 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded  in death by her husband, Wilfred; son, Michael; grand-daughter, Jennifer; her parents, Joseph and Mariann; siblings, Johann, Benjamin, George, Mary, Joseph, Rosella, Frank, John, and Joseph.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 13th Ave. So., La Crosse, Wis. Rev. Rick Roberts will officiate with Entombment to be held in The St, Francis of Assisi Mausoleum, in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse, Wis. Family and friends may visit from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Wednesday at the Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home 1501 West Ave. So., La Crosse, Wis., with a Vigil Service to be held at 6:00 PM. Family and friends may also visit from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass in the church on Thursday.