Obituary
Mary Catherine Pehler
Mary Catherine Pehler, 88, received her angel wings, took the Lord’s hand, and was called home on Friday evening, November 17, 2023.
Mary was born on May 10, 1935 in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Catherine (Weber) and Roland Stange. On July 9, 1955 she married Robert Pehler, and they happily began building their life and family together.
Mary enjoyed the simple pleasures in life like a good cup of coffee, reading the daily newspaper, watching an afternoon Milwaukee Brewers or Chicago Cubs game, spending time with her sister, Jean – be it for lunch or traveling on a bus tour, and sitting around the table at a family Sunday dinner. The greatest joy of her life was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and precious great-grandchildren. Mary’s smile, quick wit, and conversation will be missed by many.
Mary is survived by her three children: Mike (Patti) Pehler, Kathleen (Joe) Zietlow and Larry Pehler (Kathy Hole); nine grandchildren: Adam (Kasey) Pehler, Beth Pehler (Adam Ziegeweid), Jared (Ashley) Pehler, Paul (Brooke) Pehler, Patrick (Jessica) Pehler, Jill (Keachen) Abing, Scott (Angie) Zietlow, Audrah (Drew) Waterhouse and Ali (Brandon) Strand; and eighteen great-grandchildren: Addison, Kallan, Arianna and Aubrey Pehler, Catherine and Daniel Pehler-Ziegeweid, Austen Pehler, Paisley, Braxton and Blakely Pehler, Landon Pehler, Atley and Afton Abing, Owen and Macy Zietlow, Maddox and Kipton Waterhouse and Leo Strand. Mary is also survived by siblings Jean Pehler, Joan Mutch, Bob Stange, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Catherine and Roland Stange, her loving husband, Bob Pehler, her brother, John Stange, brother and sisters-in-law, and daughter-in-law, Sandy Pehler.
Mary and her family are beyond grateful to the staff and caregivers of the Eagle Crest North Community and Gundersen Hospice. Your daily acts of love, compassion, and care will forever be imprinted on our hearts. We will never truly be able to express our sincerest gratitude for loving on our Mother, Grandmother, and GG each and every day.
A celebration of Mary’s life will take place on Monday, December 11, 2023 at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Coulee Cremation is assisting with the arragnements. Family and friends may gather from 10:30-11:30. At 11:30 a memorial service will be held, led by niece, Pastor Kelly Fernandes, with a luncheon to follow.
“When you feel me in your heart, look up…I am always with you.”
Mary was a wonderful sister-in-law and aunt. On behalf of my mom and our family, we are sorry we won’t be able to join you but know we share great memories and are thinking of you all.