Mary Elaine Gaar Obituary
Mary Elaine (nee Hicks) Gaar released her hold on the threads of this life and went into the arms of her Creator on February 15, 2025. A long-time resident of Sussex, Wisconsin, Mary passed away at home surrounded by her family following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband Paul. They met on a blind date, and she knew right away that he was the one for her. They were married on August 20, 1977, and had 47 years of adventures together. She is the cherished mother of Carolyn (Mark Szuminski) Gaar, Kathryn (James Mann) Gaar, and David (Jennifer) Gaar. She adored her grandchildren, too, and kept the pantry stocked with snacks and kept toys and art supplies on hand for fun times. Abigail, Ashlyn, Blake, Josephine, and Jordan will miss you, Grandma.
Mary, the eldest in a set of twin girls, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in May 1949 to John and Lucille Hicks. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, her older brother John Hicks, and sister-in-law Margie Hicks. She is survived by her twin sister Margaret (Ed) Ellenbecker and brother David (Tammy) Hicks, and by many, many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, and cousins, and brothers-and sisters-in-law.
Mary moved through the world as though every stranger was just a friend she hadn't met yet. She loved to get to know people and connect with them. She remembered their names, their stories, and was able to see what it was about people that made them special. She had a magnetic smile and laugh that lit up the room.
Mary was an accomplished quilter, sewist, and crafter. While most of her skills and pursuits were self-taught, Mary learned how to make pieced quilts from her mother in law, Mary A. Gaar. This became a passion and a talent of Mary's for the rest of her life, and she crafted and gifted many personalized quilts to family members and friends.
Mary was the consummate teacher. She graduated from Mount Mary College in 1972 with a degree in Elementary Education and then taught fourth and sixth grades at Holy Ghost Catholic School and St. Catherine's Catholic School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As children, we knew that we couldn't get away with sloppy work – she would check it and make sure it passed muster or we'd have to do it again (but she was also always there, next to us at the kitchen table, helping us get it done). She loved teaching and continued sharing her knowledge until the end of her life through her love of crafting.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital are appreciated. (https://www.stjude.org). We are blessed to have had Mary in our lives, and her absence will be felt keenly.
Evening. Visitation will take place at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home (N84W17937 Menomonee Ave, Menomonee Falls, WI) on Friday, February 21, 2025 from 4pm to 6pm with a vigil led by Deacon Lance Tappa at 6pm to conclude the evening. The following day, a brief visitation will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 9.30am until Time of Memorial Mass at 10am at St. James Catholic Church, W220N6588 Town Line Road, Menomonee Falls, WI. Father Peter Drenzek will be presiding.
