Obituary
Mary Ann Herold
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!
Anna and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your moms passing. Losing your mom isn’t easy. I’m sure she taught you many valuable life lessons. She sounds like she was quite the lady. Sending prayers to the Herold family.
Tracy Wavra and Family
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time. I hope you find peace in the love and memories you shared with your beautiful mom. Sending thoughts & prayers from Kansas City. Love, Tionne
I am so sorry for your loss, she was a really great person and the apple did not fall from the tree. you got your strength and resilance from your mommy, Becky Josephine, love you girl
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time. I hope you find peace in the love and memories you shared with your beautiful mom. Sending thoughts & prayers from Kansas City. Love, Tionne
My deepest condolences to the family. Proud Mary was a beautiful soul who loves music. Sending thoughts and prayers to the whole family from Las Vegas.
Thinking of Proud Mary and all of her girls today. She had a life well lived! She was a kind soul who quietly inspired many. Keep the happy memories alive ( I will be making chocolate chip cookies in her honor)
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are being sent your way. 🙏♥️🙏
Sending sympathy, hugs, and love to you, David and to all your family. Losing a mom is so difficult.
May peace & calm surround the Mary Herold family at this sad time. I so enjoyed working with Mary over the years. She taught me alot.
Sorry to hear of her passing. I was fortunate to know her through the RCPA. Andy Ellingson BRF
So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God bless. Love and hugs to all.
Angie Tucker
Becky, Anna, Laura and Lise’, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was such an inspiration to every woman who came in contact with her. She was strong, in a quiet way and encouraged others to be too. She felt woman could conquer any challenge during a time when society said we couldn’t. She was amazing and raised 4 amazing daughters! Keep her in your hearts.
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a beautiful and very impressive woman. Together with Ron they raised wonderful children! May the comfort of good memories help ease the pain during this difficult time.
Kathy (Anderson) Hove
So very sorry for the loss of your mom. Hold onto your cherished memories! It’s hard to believe it was so long ago when we were next door neighbors on County B. I’ve often thought of all the Herold girls and wondered what you were all up to! I’m sending loving and healing prayers to your entire family.
Laura and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your mom. You are in our thoughts at this very difficult time. As my dad wrote before he passed. Love and take care of each other everyday. See you in heaven someday. Love you all. God Bless.
Deepest condolences to family and friends. May she be resting in peace with the perpetual light shining brightly upon her.
Such a beautiful tribute! She had an amazing life. Big hugs to you, Becky.
So very sorry for your loss my prayers are with your family.
Your mother was a fabulous woman, so many adventures, she live a full and blessed life!
Sorry to hear about your Mom Mary’s death. I got to know her and your Father
Ronald when they retired and located in the Black River Falls area. They and my
husband Lou worked on the Bible Cranberry Marsh during harvest season for a
number of years. I was previleged to have been able prepare and help serve the workers their noon hour lunch. Your Mom worked the best with the men individuals. She was very special. We often talked about her work as a Nurse, I being a Family Living Educator. Mary will be remembered by many for her nursing
service to the community and her commitment to help others, whatever the field.
May Mary rest in peace and be refreshed as she it greeted by Ron and my Lou
as they reminisce their days harvesting cranberries. Nyla Musser
I’m so sorry for your loss Laura Lee and sisters. Mary was a beautiful and kind lady. She was an inspiration to many women. I always had so much respect for her and followed the same path and became an RN. She was a special lady and I’m grateful that I got to know this family about 50 years ago and was always treated like a part of the family. Mary will be missed and is loved by so many. She will be remembered forever.
Becky, Anna Marie, Laura and Lise’,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in the loss of your mother. We have many cherished memories of fun times that we shared with your mom and dad. She was a beautiful lady inside and out. We just saw the obituary today or we would have been at her funeral service. Sending our love and deepest sympathy.
Larry and Donna Lee
My sympathies to you and your families. I worked with Mary for several years in the OR at Gundersen. She had strong values and I enjoyed working with her. She was so proud of her girls.