Mary ‘Jeanne’ Rady, 71 passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, December27, 2010.

 

Jeanne was the oldest of six children born to Richard and Rose (Phalin) Berra of Genoa, Wisconsin, on July 7, 1939. She graduated from St. Charles Borromeo in Genoa, Aquinas High School and St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse. Her nursing career included Vernon Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital in California and Grandview Hospital in La Crosse. Jeanne accepted a position at the Genoa State Bank where she met her future husband, Richard ‘Dick’ Rady, who was employed by the FDIC. Dick and Jeanne were married on May 21, 1966 in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Genoa. She and Dick raised their four children during their 44 years of marriage while living in La Crosse. They enjoyed their cabin at Pigeon Lake which is treasured by family and friends.

 

Jeanne was actively self-employed as a Shaklee Distributor for 35 years. She was a member of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral Parish, The Shamrock Club, National Council of Catholic Women, Serra Club of La Crosse, Catholic Daughters, Cathedral Lunch Team, and previously sang in the St. Thomas More Church and Diocesan Choirs. She was a Prayer Partner at the FSPA Adoration Chapel. Faith was instrumental in Jeanne’s life. She attended daily Mass and Communion where she found the strength for her journey. She was named the Irish Rose in 1989 by the Shamrock Club, “Lady of the Light” in 2008 by the Deanery Council of Catholic Women, and “Parishioner of the Year” in 2010 by St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral Parish.

 

In addition to Jeanne’s vibrant involvement in various organizations in which she held positions of leadership, she found time to give of herself through kind deeds to others. She enjoyed reading, theater, knitting, singing, dancing, travel, and playing cards. Her numerous travels took her to Austria and Italy with her daughters, Alaska, and Ireland. She traveled with Learning in Retirement Tours to Vietnam, Africa, and India. She also traveled on pilgrimages led by Cardinal Raymond Burke to Mexico, Poland, Rome, and the Holy Land.

 

Jeanne is survived by her loving husband, Dick; children, Mary Beth of La Crosse, Rose (Tom) Barton of Delafield, WI, Tony Radej of Trapper Creek, AK, and James (Sandee) of La Crosse; siblings, Ruth Berra, FSPA, of Appleton, WI, Thomas (Carol) Berra of La Crosse, Trish (Don) Harkness of La Crosse, and Bea (Ron) Zingsheim of Onalaska; brother-in-law, Bernard (Chris) Curti of River Falls, WI; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Peggy Curti; aunt, Mary Adami; father, mother, and sister in-laws, James, Agnes and Barb Rady.

 

Jeanne will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she has touched. She leaves us with her message: “Know that when people pray to me, I will hear and pray for them.”

 

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, January 3, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Saint Joseph the Workman Cathedral, 530 Main St., La Crosse. The Rev. Michael Gorman will celebrate with Msgr. Bernard McGarty, Rev. Todd Mlsna, Rev. Robert Cook and Deacon Joe Richards concelebrating. Interment will be at the Catholic Cemetery. Visitations will be held on Sunday, January 2, from 1-4 PM at the Cathedral and also from 9:00 AM until the Mass at the Cathedral.  The rosary will be recited by the Catholic Daughter’s of the Americas at 9:45 AM in the Marian Chapel at the Church on Monday.

 

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Franciscan Skemp Hospice and the many friends who offered support and comfort through this journey.

 

Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family. Memorials may be directed to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe or the Casa Hogar Orphanage in Peru.