Mary Ann Herold, 90, of Onalaska, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her four loving daughters. Mary left us on what would have been her wedding anniversary with her late husband, Ronald Herold.

Born on February 9, 1935, in Cassville, WI, Mary was the daughter of the late Joseph and Dorothy (Hampton) Paulus. Mary graduated from Bloomington High School where she played trombone in the marching band and was a cheerleader. Following graduation from high school, Mary attended St. Francis School of Nursing (now Viterbo University). After graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Mary was hired as a Registered Nurse by Gundersen Clinic and Lutheran Hospital, where she quickly became recognized as a skilled, competent and dedicated nurse.

Mary was selected as the surgical scrub nurse on the Pediatric, Thoracic and Cardiac unit. She was an integral part of the medical team that practiced heart surgery on calves and dogs prior to heart surgery on human patients. She was also part of the pioneering medical team to perform the first heart-lung bypass procedure in 1965. Mary retired in 1997 after 40 years.

Mary and her late husband, Ronald, raised “four beautiful girls” (as she was known to say) in the La Crosse area before retiring to the woods of Jackson County near Black River Falls. Here, Mary found peace and solitude in their cabin in the woods, managing their 40 acres, and picking up sticks and pinecones. She and Ron loved having family and friends at the cabin to inner tube and canoe on the Robinson Creek, play volleyball, snowmobile, go four-wheeling on the sand dunes, and shoot trap and skeet.

Mary was known for her famous chocolate chip cookies (secret recipe!). She enjoyed playing euchre and cribbage, playing tennis, boating and camping, watching and feeding the birds (always looking for a cardinal), making sugar water for the hummingbirds, and listening to country music (especially Willie Nelson).

Mary is survived and forever cherished by her beloved daughters: Rebecca Josephine (David Noffke) Herold of Holmen, WI, Anna Marie Herold of Onalaska, WI, Laura Lee Jones of Shawnee, KS, and Lisé Grayson (Dale) Freking of Eagan, MN; her grandchildren: Ryan (Grete) Blum, Alexandria (Ross) Holt, Hailee (Matt) Buehler, Eden Fridlington, Grayson (Alexandra) Freking, Gabriella Freking (Jake Greener) and Gianna Freking; her great-grandchildren: Elsa and Elin Blum, Elianna and Riley Buehler; her sisters: Susie (Dennis) Duffy, Deborah (Kevin) Kottke; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Herold (2019); her parents, Joseph and Dorothy Paulus; and her brother Charles Paulus; and many other loved family members.

The family would like to thank Emplify Health La Crosse Hospice for their loving care of Mary and assistance to the family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Gathering Place, Coulee Region Cremation Group of Onalaska on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, with a special service celebration at 3:30 pm, located at 133 Mason Street, Onalaska, WI. There will not be a burial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given to the Gundersen Medical Foundation Nursing Education Fund or to the Gundersen Medical Foundation Hospice Fund, (online donation or via contact information below):

Gundersen Medical Foundation, (Attn: Nursing Education Fund or Attn: Hospice Fund), 1900 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601, (608) 775-6600

PROUD MARY KEEP ON ROLLING!