Obit: Weix, Mary L. #2 (1928 - 2012)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Blazel, Calverley, Chelmo, Cherwinka, Didier, Downer, Duvall, Frey, Hackel, Hein, Hoernke, Hupe, Kimball, Muniz, Murphy, Murphy-Jones, Nielson, Otto, Perez-Garcia, Raatz, Redding, Schmidt, Schotz, Verkilen, Whitfield, Weix, Wuethrich

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, February 9, 2012, online edition

Weix, Mary L. (Downer) (March 26, 1928 - February 3, 2012)

Mary L. Weix, 83, of Abbotsford, passed away on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 at Golden LivingCenter in Abbotsford, after being admitted there on January 31, 2012.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Abbotsford. Father Daniel Hackel will officiate. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m., with a parish rosary service at 6 p.m., at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford, and on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow the service at Abbotsford Public Cemetery.

Mary was born on March 26, 1928 at Marquette University Hospital in Milwaukee to Hallie and Minnie (Verkilen) Downer. She attended various schools in Marshfield and Spencer. On January 16, 1946, Mary married the love of her life, Henry Martin Weix. They celebrated 62 wonderful years together until Henry passed away on December 5, 2008.

Mary worked hard throughout her life. At the age of 16, she moved to Milwaukee by her sister, Lorraine, and worked in a shoe factory. This was during World War II and she wanted to work in an ammunition factory but was not old enough. Mary loved to waitress and supplemented her income working in various restaurants in the Milwaukee area. She returned home at 17 and worked at the Colby Hotel until she met Henry and they were married.

Mary and Henry started farming in the Colby area and eventually moved to Athens where they farmed for more than 20 years. While farming, Mary also earned her certified nursing assistant degree and worked at the Medford Hospital in various departments. In 1972, she moved to Abbotsford and worked at the Colonial House Nursing Home in Colby. Mary and Henry purchased the Dorn Furniture store in Abbotsford, which they renamed H&M Furniture.

Mary and Henry acquired the Spring Crest Drapery franchise in 1978, which they operated for 20 years. Mary started the business with little knowledge about draperies, but a lot of spunk, determination and sense of style. She achieved the $1,000,000 sales mark with Sprint Crest Company. Mary also earned a degree in interior design.

Mary was a lifetime member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Abbotsford. She was president of the Altar Society and participated in many activities in the church, and also was on the committee for remodeling the church. Together Mary and Henry served as eucharistic ministers in Florida and Abbotsford.

Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and slowly lost awareness of those around her. Even with the Alzheimer's, she kept her splendid sense of humor and her love of music. In her free time, Mary enjoyed polka dancing, camping, bowling, traveling and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary is lovingly survived by her children, Dennis (Sheila) Weix of Edgar, Katherine (Duane) Frey of Medford, James (Bonita) Weix of Abbotsford, Mary Jane (Mike) Murphy of Linton, Ind., and Laurie (Otto) Raatz of Abbotsford.

She is further survived by her grandchildren, Steve Weix of Chicago, Ill., Janet Weix of Eau Claire, Mark (Chrissy) Weix of Medford, Jason (Jamie) Hoernke of River Falls, Adam (Adrienne) Hoernke of Colby, Henry (Megan Redding) Blazel of Abbotsford, Brenda (Jim Kimball) Duvall of Medford, Bonnie (John) Cherwinka of Wausau, Rhonda (Tim) Schotz of Rothschild, Jeff (Margaret) Frey of Michigan, Jason (Shanna) Frey of Unity, Tammy (Jay) Schmidt of Edgar, Logan (Kelsey Otto) Weix of Abbotsford, Lisa (Carlos) Perez-Garcia of Orange Park, Fla., Bobby (Brandi) Murphy of Linton, Ind., Michele (Ray Muniz) Murphy of Waipahu, Hawaii, Heather Calverley of Wisconsin Rapids, Crystal (Andy Wuethrich) Raatz of Abbotsford and Michael (Lynnea Chelmo) Raatz of Abbotsford.

Great-grandchildren, Jaden and Xander Weix of Eau Claire, Kirsten and Kadence Weix of Medford, Brexton Hoernke of River Falls, Kennedy and Trinity Hoernke of Colby, Nicole and Colton Duvall of Medford, Jonathan Hein of Colby, Christopher Hein of Menomonie, Derrick and Danielle Hein of Marathon, Casey Cherwinka of Wausau, Justin and Miranda Schotz of Rothschild, Savannah Frey of Michigan, Samantha, Tyler and Camryn Schmidt of Edgar, Kalob and Keaten Murphy-Jones of Orange Park, Fla., Bentley Whitfield and Maxwell Murphy of Linton, Ind., Evan Calverley of Wisconsin Rapids, and Malakai and Tristyn Didier of Abbotsford; one brother, Wilmer Downer; and two sisters, Henrietta Nielson and Lorraine Hupe.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Hallie and Minnie Downer; her husband, Henry Weix; and her sister, Darlene.

The Weix family would like to thank the nurses, physicians and staff at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital, the staff of Golden LivingCenter in Abbotsford and Pine Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Colby, for their supportive and compassionate care given to Mary.

The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com.