Mary Paulé Kalz Obituary
Mary Paule found peace from stage four metastatic uterine cancer on January 14th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Despite her illness, she lived her life to the fullest for two and a half years post-diagnosis by spending time with those she loved and never losing her faith in God.
Mary Paule was the fourth daughter of Chester and Julianne (Cernicky) Schmidt, born on May 30th, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She attended grade school at the Mother of Good Counsel (class of 1961) and graduated from Pius XI Catholic High School in 1965. The year prior to graduating from high school, on a day Mary Paule did not have school herself, she joined her good friend and next door neighbor, Kay, at Washington High School as a 'student visitor' for the day. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she would attend chemistry class with her friend and meet Mike, her future husband.
After high school, Mary Paule enrolled in the nursing program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and she graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in the first-ever nursing class at UWM in 1969. She and Mike married on June 17th, 1972, and welcomed Brian on May 21st, 1976, and Angela on October 29th, 1984.
Mary Paule went on to have a 40-year career as a dedicated and hardworking nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee. When she wasn't working at the hospital, she was an active member at Christ King Church as both a Eucharistic Minister and Lector during Sunday masses. She was also a group leader during the founding year of "Simply the Word" Bible Study and continued to be heavily involved throughout her entire life.
Growing up, Mary Paule's parents would rent a cottage on Seven Island Lake in northern Wisconsin, taking her and her 3 sisters there every summer. She loved to spend her days there swimming, water skiing, and laying out in the sun. It was because of this tradition that Mary Paule and Mike would eventually buy their own cottage in Pelican Lake, in northern Wisconsin, in 1985. They would spend weeks at a time up at the cottage swimming, going on pontoon rides at cocktail hour, sitting around a bonfire making s'mores, taking long walks around the lake, and playing Monopoly or Gin Rummy (but only when it was raining). In 2011, once both Mary Paule and Mike had retired, they designed the lake home of their dreams in the same spot as their original cottage. Creating their perfect home together on the lake was a source of great pride for Mary Paule and she loved spending much of her time there and truly cherished sharing it with others.
Mary Paule always possessed an unyielding dedication to her family and close friends – most especially to Brian and Angie. She sincerely enjoyed being involved in her kids' lives to the fullest extent possible. Despite also working full-time, Mary Paule made it a priority to attend all of their soccer games, gymnastics meets, basketball games, and volleyball games. She even chaperoned Angie's club volleyball trip to Poland in 1997! She also volunteered her time as a school nurse when both Brian and Angie were in grade school. In fact, she was the first volunteer school nurse who organized other nurses to volunteer their time at Christ King. In addition to her undeniable love for her children, Mary Paule was also fiercely dedicated to and eternally grateful for her many close friends. One of her very favorite times of the year was her annual girls' trip up north with her three best friends from grade school – Diane, Alice, and Mary Bea. They would spend endless hours shopping together, going out to eat, and catching up by the lake. Likewise, she enjoyed going out to eat with both friends and family – whether it be for special occasions, a casual lunch, or no reason at all. Mary Paule was also an avid fan of all Wisconsin sports and especially loved going to Brewers games with Mike and other family members.
Unquestionably, Mary Paule was loved by so many and she will be deeply missed for her genuinely kind, selfless, and loving nature. She is survived by her husband, Mike; her children, Brian and Angela; her sister, Dorothy; and her many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother, Julianne; her father, Chester; and her sisters, Joyce and Barbara.
Mary Paule's family wishes to thank all of her friends and other family members who supported her both before and during her illness, whether that be in prayer, comforting gifts, or meal delivery. We would especially like to express our utmost gratitude to Diane Roethe for her unconditional support.
A celebration of Mary Paule's life will be held at Christ King Church on Thursday, January 25th, 2024. The visitation will be from 10am until the time of mass at 11:30am. A luncheon will immediately follow at Alioto's Bar and Restaurant.
