Mary Ann (née Braun) Marten, 87
Mary Ann (née Braun) Marten passed away early Monday evening, January 29, 2024, at the age of 87 surrounded by her loving family.
Mary suffered a stroke on December 22 while living at Talamore Assisted Living Center in Sun Prairie, Wis., and has been in the hospital and hospice program since then.
Mary was born on July 4, 1936, to the late John and Mae (née Zeman) Braun in Shawano, Wis. Mary was an only child and attended Shawano High School. In her younger years, she worked as a telephone operator for the Shawano Telephone Company. It was about that time when she met and later married Lester A. Marten, Jr. on August 29, 1959. They moved to Stevens Point until Les finished college at UW-Stevens Point and then started raising their family.
Together they had four children; Randy (Jean) Marten of Sun Prairie, Wis., Steve (Michelle) Marten of Geneva, Ill., Tim (Sue) Marten of Cottage Grove, Wis., and a daughter Leslie (Wes) Lancaster of Colorado Springs, Colo. Unfortunately, Mary lost her husband (Les) at a young age due to cancer. But with the strong friendships she had made in their 31 years of marriage, she was able to persevere and live a long, rewarding life. Mary was very spiritual and had a good relationship with her Lord and Savior.
Mary Ann enjoyed her time with her friends, playing cards in several bridge groups, square-dancing, cross-country skiing, camping, and traveling with her widow friends. When the children were in school, Mary worked for many years at the Discounter store in Plover and became very involved in St. Bronislava Catholic Church which she and her family belonged to and attended mass for many years.
She and her husband served as marriage counselors for St. Bronislava among several other volunteer programs.
One of Mary’s biggest assets was her sense of humor (which she inherited from her mother). She loved to laugh and socialize with friends. She also had an affinity with elephant and cardinal figurines and collected them. Many of these have now been passed along to her children and grandchildren.
Mary Ann also enjoyed making the holidays very meaningful and memorable for her 10 grandchildren; Abby Marten, Michael Marten, Ashely Marten, Ali Marten, Halle Marten, Seth Marten, Brooke Marten, Paige Marten, Brock Lancaster, and Ty Lancaster.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, a cause that meant a lot to her, or St. Bronislava Church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 5, 2024, at St. Bronislava Catholic church. Rev. Ed Shuttleworth officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Bronislava Parish Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the church until the time for mass.
The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
