Mary Sargent passed away on February 6, 2026, at age 81, in Onalaska, WI. She is survived by her children, Christopher Sargent (Laura) of Charleston, SC and Kymberly Goodson (Kevin) of San Diego, CA, and grandchildren, Austin Sargent, Ellery Goodson, Dillon Goodson, and Alizabeth Nelson, as well as 4 of her 5 siblings – Jim (Kay) Tracey, Bob (Sandy) Tracey, Steve (Alyce) Tracey, and Anne (Tim) Sawyer.  In death, she’ll be reunited with her parents, Robert and Elizabeth Tracey, sister Jane (Dave) Quall, niece Sarah Quall, and nephews Jacob and Mikhail Sawyer.

Born in 1944, Mary was raised on her parents’ farm in Mindoro, WI. She was deeply proud of her rural and agricultural roots.  While her dream to become an airline stewardess didn’t come to pass, she was genuinely curious about the wider world and the people in it. She asked interesting and insightful questions to understand the experiences and perspectives of others.  Mary was fascinated by the magic and mysteries of life, and trusted that God had a hand in all the beautiful things that occur.  Despite, or perhaps because of, all of the challenges she experienced, she was truly grateful for the great many blessings she enjoyed throughout her life.

Mary was fiercely independent and capable but deeply enjoyed the company of others.  She was quick to make friends or start a conversation and spark a connection with a stranger. She excelled at helping others with genuine care and attention, including while serving as a radiation technician at Gundersen Clinic for over 3 decades.  Of the great many roles she filled, her favorites by far were that of Mom and Gramma.  Her greatest joys were spending time with family and friends; visiting her children and grandchildren; playing cards, cribbage, and Rummikub; gardening; shopping; indulging in a cold Coca-Cola with popcorn or Lay’s potato chips; listening to Neil Diamond, gospel or bluegrass music, or the Blind Boys of Alabama; doing things for others; and spending time outdoors. Some of her favorite places include the country landscapes where she grew up, the beach, San Diego, Charleston, and Hawaii.

Full of life and energy, Mary was always up for an adventure – whether near or far, short or lengthy.  Though she didn’t have the opportunity to climb Machu Picchu, as she’d long dreamed of doing, she was pleased to be able to take her children and grandchildren on a cultural trip to China in 2013.  In addition to the many times she visited Hawaii, other memorable trips include travels out West, rafting the Grand Canyon with her Dad, taking grandson Austin on a tour of baseball stadiums, taking granddaughter Ellery to dude ranches, making several trips to Washington DC, enjoying conference travel with work colleagues, coordinating annual weekends in Eau Claire with extended family, indulging in shopping trips with sister Anne, meeting son Christopher at Road America or daughter Kymberly at the site of a library conference, and many more.

Mary was tough as nails, surviving breast cancer 4 times before succumbing to two sarcomas that appeared in mid-2024.  She will be dearly missed and warmly remembered by the great many family, friends, and acquaintances whose lives she touched and enhanced over the years. Once her memorial stone is received, it will be placed in the Town of Farmington Cemetery in Mindoro, Wisconsin.

Gifts in her name can be made to Paula’s Purse Fund via the Gundersen Medical Foundation.

Please share your condolences and memories of or with Mary online at www.couleecremation.com

We look forward to celebrating Mary’s life with friends, family, and others at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street, Onalaska, on Friday, February 20, 2026, visitation will be from 11am-12:30pm: service at 12:30, followed by a light lunch. You’re encouraged to wear comfortable clothes to this event, as if attending an informal family gathering.

Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family during this difficult time.