Monica “Heartsy” Vagueiro, 86

Monica “Heartsy” Vagueiro, of Stevens Point, formerly of Monona, Wis., passed away peacefully at home on May 4, 2023, at the age of 86. She was ready well before we were.

Heartsy was born May 27, 1936; the youngest of 12 children born to Albert and Mary (Sutter) Haag. She grew up with four sisters and seven brothers, in the little town of Perry, just west of Madison. She attended school in Mount Horeb, graduating from Mount Horeb High School in 1954. She is deeply loved and remembered by her classmates as always smiling.

Following high school, she worked for the University of Wisconsin as a secretary. She was married in 1960 and had two children. Her daughter, Kim, was born in 1961, and her son, Joe, was born in 1964. After her children were born, she stayed home with them. In later years, she would work for the school as well as the IRS.

Heartsy, a nickname given to her by her father at a young age, which means “sweetheart” in German, lived up to that nickname. She was full of love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; for animals of all kinds, but especially the family dogs, Mocha and Java; and, of course, for her favorite sports teams, the Badgers and the Packers. In fact, Heartsy was a bit of sports nut and could be found keeping stats on her favorite teams during March Madness each spring.

Above all, though, the love she had for her friends and family was of utmost importance to her; her loved ones were her life. Once she became a grandma to Mari and Isaac, she spent endless hours doting on them, and like most grandmas, worrying about them. Even keeping an eye on the news pertaining to where they lived; after all, who else would warn them of the freely roaming alligators and venomous snakes that might be lurking on the flooded city streets?

While Heartsy truly was a kind, gentle, mild mannered, Catholic woman, all bets were off when the cards came out. Then, she became a ruthless card shark, especially when playing Euchre. In fact, as a young adult, she was eighth in the state for playing Bridge. She had a talent for card games.

Heartsy is survived by her children, Kim (Rob Stolzer) Vagueiro and Joseph “Joe” Vagueiro; and her grandchildren, Mari and Isaac. She is further survived by her sister, Kris; her brother, Fritz (Barb); her sister-in-law, Marianne; and over 50 nieces and nephews.

Heartsy was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mary; brothers, Art, Roman, Clem, Alban, Bill, and Wallace; and sisters, Lee, Gladys, and Terri.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the Stevens Point Cancer Center and ProMedica Hospice for the kindness and care given to Heartsy and her family.

For those wishing to express their sympathy, the family kindly suggests in lieu of flowers, to make a charitable donation in Heartsy’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Heartsy’s favorite charity. (stjude.org)

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, Wis. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories on Wednesday at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com.