1922
Mary
2015
Mary Netko
September 11, 1922 — November 24, 2015
Mary Netko (nee Rude), of Wautoma was born on September 11, 1922 and moved to another life on early Tuesday morning, November 24, 2015. She was the daughter of Catherine (Benner) and Raymond Rude. Mary was preceded in death by three brothers, Patrick, Daniel and Thomas; her son Dennis Arthur; two sisters-in-law, Audrey and Phyllis, two daughters-in-law Leza and Marie Netko. Surviving are her four children; Linda (Dennis) Johnson, Karen Kietlinski, Elmer ("Duke") and Toby (Patty), 10 grand-children; Keith and Kristin Johnson, Dennis Lee Netko (Amy), Daryl Netko, Denise Netko Holmgren(Benjamin), Dawn Netko (Cecilia Riley) Gina Cruz, Adam (Kerri-Lynn) Netko, Eryn Netko and Kasie (Mackenzie) Miller, and eight great-grandchildren; Laurin Johnson, Tony Cruz, Sydney and Chase Netko, Cain and Kylie Netko, Nora Holmgren and "little" Adam Netko. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mary was an active woman all her life, with lots of firsts in it. She worked her way through Messmer High School, and moved to California with her family shortly after World War II broke out. Mary worked for Douglas Aircraft where she was the first woman to work on Turrett Lathes in the machine shop. She also went to Oklahoma and made her way in an all-male shop there. Mary joined her husband, an Army Lieutenant at the time, in Linz, Austria and was the first American wife in the area. They returned to America after about a year and a half and returned to Milwaukee. Mary always worked and because in those days there was no "maternity leave", she worked in many different fields of work.
At age 40, Mary went back to school and received her associates degree in Engineering at age 45. Mary changed occupations and went to work at Cutler Hammer, starting as a file clerk in the manufacturing order department. Mary worked her way up to being the supervisor in charge of overseeing that orders on the machine shop floor were completed correctly and on time.
Upon residing in Wautoma, she joined the Senior Center and was Vice-Chairman when the infamous tornado struck. That December, Mary took charge of the rebuilding and was proud to say she turned over a completed and debt-free building. She was also active as a Neshkoro Lioness, with the Wild Rose Hospital Auxiliary, VFW Women's Post, The Wautoma Women's Club, Relay for Life, Wautoma Senior Center and St. Joseph Catholic Church, until her legs could no longer allow her to walk or stand for any length of time.
However she still did some volunteer work and was always sharing her bakery, soups and jellies with many people. Mary loved playing bridge with her special friends Pat, Marion, Ginny and Kathy. A special thanks to her good neighbors and friends and to Sister Mary Ellen for her kindness and friendship.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wautoma, WI. Private burial services to follow.
In accordance with Mary's wishes, memorials have been established for the Wild Rose Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund and the Wautoma Senior Center. A special note of thanks to the staff of the Heartland House and the Hospice Hope of Green Lake.
Mary was an active woman all her life, with lots of firsts in it. She worked her way through Messmer High School, and moved to California with her family shortly after World War II broke out. Mary worked for Douglas Aircraft where she was the first woman to work on Turrett Lathes in the machine shop. She also went to Oklahoma and made her way in an all-male shop there. Mary joined her husband, an Army Lieutenant at the time, in Linz, Austria and was the first American wife in the area. They returned to America after about a year and a half and returned to Milwaukee. Mary always worked and because in those days there was no "maternity leave", she worked in many different fields of work.
At age 40, Mary went back to school and received her associates degree in Engineering at age 45. Mary changed occupations and went to work at Cutler Hammer, starting as a file clerk in the manufacturing order department. Mary worked her way up to being the supervisor in charge of overseeing that orders on the machine shop floor were completed correctly and on time.
Upon residing in Wautoma, she joined the Senior Center and was Vice-Chairman when the infamous tornado struck. That December, Mary took charge of the rebuilding and was proud to say she turned over a completed and debt-free building. She was also active as a Neshkoro Lioness, with the Wild Rose Hospital Auxiliary, VFW Women's Post, The Wautoma Women's Club, Relay for Life, Wautoma Senior Center and St. Joseph Catholic Church, until her legs could no longer allow her to walk or stand for any length of time.
However she still did some volunteer work and was always sharing her bakery, soups and jellies with many people. Mary loved playing bridge with her special friends Pat, Marion, Ginny and Kathy. A special thanks to her good neighbors and friends and to Sister Mary Ellen for her kindness and friendship.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wautoma, WI. Private burial services to follow.
In accordance with Mary's wishes, memorials have been established for the Wild Rose Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund and the Wautoma Senior Center. A special note of thanks to the staff of the Heartland House and the Hospice Hope of Green Lake.
Memorial Mass
DEC 29. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Joseph Catholic Church
364 S. Cambridge Street
Wautoma, WI, US, 54982
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