Mary Agnes (Howard) Douglas passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025 at the Senior Life Center at the age of 96. Mary was born on April 14, 1929 on the Loreto Ridge to John and Rosa (Fitzgerald) Howard, child number 4 of 11 children. Being in this large Irish family, Mary’s chores were taking care of the younger siblings and cooking – which she did very well. Mary had a bond with all of her siblings throughout her entire life. She lost her brother Patrick in 1937 when he was 7 years old. She lost a sister, Patrease in infancy, in 1938. Mary graduated from Spring Green High School and started work in Reedsburg shortly thereafter.

She met Joseph Abbott Douglas at a dance and they were married in a double wedding with her sister June and Joe’s good friend Charlie Montgomery on July 26, 1949 at St. Patrick’s Church, Loreto. Joe and Mary had 8 children in 17 years and lived on the Douglas farm in Dellona Township. Joe’s father Joel Douglas lived with them on the farm along with nephews Ray and Kenny Fish – the hired hands. Mary had a busy life cooking for 12 people three times a day. They moved to Third Street in Reedsburg in 1969 which Mary always regretted - she loved the farm. In addition to running her busy household, Mary also worked many part-time jobs. She had strong work ethic. She loved cooking large meals for the family and was known for her homemade biscuits (which her brother Mike was often the happy recipient), along with homemade pies and jam. If you visited her home, you were always fed and given leftovers. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She loved babies and couldn’t wait to hold a new born grandchild or great-grandchild. She was still saying she could babysit the great grand-kids at the nursing home. She knew their favorite foods and was always worried they weren’t getting enough to eat – which was never the case. Mary always enjoyed her many nieces and nephews and they were all so good to her with calls and visits throughout her lifetime.

Joe passed away unexpectedly on December 8, 1975 at the age of 50. Mary was 46 at the time with the three youngest still at home. Mary continued working her part-time jobs until she was in her early 80’s enjoying her fellow employees and the customers. She was able to travel with her siblings and in-laws and enjoyed their many travels together, including Ireland when she was in her 70’s. Mary was a devout Catholic belonging first to St. Patrick’s in Loreto and after moving to Reedsburg, Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was a member until her passing. Mary celebrated her Irish heritage and gathered with her family and friends, many times at Drea’s Bar on the Loreto Ridge, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and many other momentous celebrations.

In April, 2024, Mary fell while still living at home and broke her leg shortly after her 95th birthday. She recovered at the Senior Life Center in Reedsburg but was unable to come back home due to being a fall risk. She received excellent care at the Senior Life Center and we are so grateful that we could visit her daily.

Mary is survived by her one sister, Patricia Schafer, and her children: John (Marcy), Mary Jo (Paul) Neesam, Dan, Kathy (Mike) Schulz, Tim (Kim), Laurie “Itsy” (Bernie) Fearing and Lisa (Tom) Rockweiler. Her beloved grandchildren: Kelly (Tom) Schweich, Molly Neesam, Emma (Dylan) Brener, Brady (Jaime) Schulz, Tori (Andy Parkes) Schulz, Anna Douglas, Joel Douglas, Elle (Aidan) Williams, Jacob Rockweiler, Andrew (Jade) Rockweiler, Matthew (Chelsey) Rockweiler and Jessica Rockweiler. Her great grand-children: Wyatt Schweich, Will and Max Brener, Gracelyn Rentz, Ella Austin-Nash, Louis, Mickey and Callan Rockweiler, Adalynn Rockweiler, and Baby Rockweiler due in August.

Mary was predeceased by her baby daughter, Lynn Marie in September, 1965, her husband Joe in December, 1975 and grandson, Justin Saner in April, 2020. She was predeceased by her siblings: June (Charlie) Montgomery, Rita (Jug) Harms, Bob (Carol) Howard, Patrick (age 7), Bessie (Paul) Kraemer, Jessie (Pete) Conlin, Celia (Alois) Gruber, Patrease (infancy), Donald “Duckeye” Schafer, and Mike (Mary Jane) Howard. She was also predeceased by Douglas brothers and sisters-in-laws: Jay (Neva) Douglas, Lee (Helen) Douglas, Ben Douglas, Anona (Roger) Henke, Berniece (Oscar) Mittelstaedt and Leona (Lawrence) Fish. We are so grateful to have our wonderful mother for 96 years – it was truly a blessing.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Friday, April 25, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Reedsburg with Father Garrett Kau officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:30 A.M. to 11:15 A.M.at the church with a eulogy to be read at 11:15 A.M. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Reedsburg, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials of remembrance may be made to Sacred Heart School, or a charity of choice.

The Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg, is assisting the family.