Mary Magdalene (Thelen) Windis, 90, passed away peacefully at Serenity Villa in Slinger WI on January 17, 2016. She was a wonderful mother of 12 children and will be dearly missed.
Mary was born in Milwaukee, WI on September 18, 1925 to Nick and Lena (Borst) Thelen. She graduated from Messmer High School, and the La Crosse Teacher’s College with a degree in education and physical fitness, and taught classes in both Port Washington and West Bend, WI.
In 1948, Mary married John M. Windis (deceased 2013). They lived in Madison and then Milwaukee for 6 years, until they made their home in Port Washington. Mary was a master bridge player. She also enjoyed golf, entertaining, traveling, swimming, tennis, reading, knitting, shopping and sewing. During her lifetime, she was active in her church, girl scouts, and numerous charitable activities.
She is survived by ten of her children: Katherine Windis of Sun City, AZ; Judith Hill of St. Petersburg, FL; Carol (Tom) Schneider of Oconomowoc, WI; Jennifer (Bob) Heth of Winona, MN; John (Mary) Windis of Oshkosh, WI; Deborah (John) McNaughton of Milwaukee, WI; Joan Windis (Gary) Simonsen of Racine, WI; Mary (Mark) Adams of Canistota, SD, Patricia (Ron) Neu of Kewaskum, WI, and Roberta (Max) Bailey of Bartlesville, OK; 21 grandchildren, and 13 great- grandchildren, In addition, Mary is survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her ex-husband John Windis, her son Daniel Windis, her daughter Jean (Windis) Jacque, along with her brother Arthur Thelen, sister Gertrude (Thelen) Plum, and sisters-in-law Katherine (Windis) Pretschold and Anna (Aigner) Uselding.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 10:30AM at St. Frances Cabrini (1025 S. 7th Ave., West Bend) with Father Enrique Hernandez officiating. Visitation will be at church, Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 9:30AM until 10:15AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Retardation Center (ARC of Washington County P.O. Box 832, West Bend, WI 53095-0832) would be appreciated.
A special thank you for the care and compassion by the staff of Serenity Villa and Horizon Home Care and Hospice.