Mariebelle “Mary” Schilling, 81, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on January 7, 2019, following a battle with cancer.
Mary was born July 8, 1937, in Bone Lake, WI, to Otis and Lillian (Elkins) Peters. She attended Lafollette School until 8th grade. Mary participated in choir and FHA at Luck High School, graduating in 1955.
Mary married Billy “Bill” Schilling on June 4, 1955 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bone Lake, WI. Together they raised five children in the Bone Lake area, with brief stays in California and Minnesota for work. Bill and Mary owned the Twin Town Store in Georgetown, WI. Mary ran the store while he worked. She later worked for her childhood friend, Janice at the Bone Lake Store.
Mary enjoyed travelling all over the United States, camping and visiting family and friends. At home she enjoyed gardening and entertaining - when you stopped by for a visit, she made sure you never left hungry. Mary always had coffee and baked goodies for guests in her home. All leftovers from her garden were canned for winter. Each fall she would stock her back room full of delicious veggies from the harvest.
A talented crocheter, Mary crafted beautiful afghans, warm hats, and cozy mittens for her family and friends. Her grandchildren collected several pairs of mittens over the years, many of them used for building snow forts, sledding, and of course, snowball fights. When they got too cold and wet, the kids would bring them in and set them by the fireplace, grabbing a warmed up, dry pair to continue fun in the snow. She used the leftover yarn to create small, multi-colored coffee cup sized coasters and large hot pads for casserole dishes and pans.
Mary was a member of Bone Lake Lutheran Church for many years. She was a member of the Ladies Aide organization, and every year you could find her serving hungry Polk County Fairgoers at the Bone Lake Church booth.
Mary was a poll worker, and you could almost always find her at the polls on voting day, helping people get their voices heard.
Mary enjoyed bowling in Couple’s League on Sunday nights in Frederic with her husband, Bill. She also enjoyed going to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s choir and band concerts, school plays, grandparents’ day celebrations, and graduations.
Mary was great about keeping track of important dates. Almost everyone she knew had their birthday written down in her calendar. She kept track of them year to year, sending cards to her loved ones for birthdays and anniversaries.
Left to remember Mary are her husband of 63 years, Bill; her brother, Ray (Helga); her children, Kathy Olson, Peggy Schilling, Brad (Pam) Schilling, and Holly Hall; 6 grandchildren (well, 7 if you count cousin, Jesse); 9 great-grandchildren; countless friends; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mary is preceded in the next life by her parents; siblings, Ted, Glenn, Shelby, and Eleanor; and daughter, Susan.
Funeral services will be held at Bone Lake Lutheran Church, Luck, WI, on Thursday, January 10th at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at the Rowe Funeral Home in Luck on Wednesday, January 9th from 4 to 7:00 p.m. and again one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. Mary will be laid to rest at Bone Lake Cemetery following the service.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at
www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, 715-472-2444.
