Mary Helen (Vander Zanden) (Drephal) Fenske, age 91 of Fremont, WI was greeted by angels
and ushered to heaven by the Holy Spirit on November 21, 2023.
Mary was born on June 25, 1932 in the Town of Hobart, WI. She married Harvey on June 7, 1975. She was deeply devoted to loving God, her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. Mary always wanted a large family and was blessed with four more children when she married Harvey. She liked bike riding, sewing, fishing and dancing, especially Polkas and Waltzes. Mary and Harvey loved working in the garden and preserved or gave away all the produce. Entering her sewing projects in the Waupaca County Fair and winning many Grand Champion Ribbons was always a highlight of the year. She also taught sewing in 4H for ten years and was involved in managing the 4H Food Stand. Mary was an active HCE member since 1979 and served as an officer and committee chair on both the local and state levels. Mary also did volunteer work for her church and community. In 2018, she was inspired to sew pillow case style dresses for charity, one of her favorite volunteer projects. She had a wonderful team to help her. They were Bonnie, Ginny, Sue C., Diane S., Sue K., Cathy N., Ken VZ, Harvey and granddaughter, Ella. To date 1325 dresses are completed. Mary retired from Fox Valley Bank at the age of 62, and after forty years in the cosmetics business, retired at age 79.
Mary is survived by her husband, Harvey; sons, Michael Fenske, Fred (Debbie) Drephal, Russell (Joan) Fenske, Harlow (Tari) Drephal, Dan (Jennifer) Drephal and Dean (Tara) Fenske; daughters, Ginny Wallace, Julie (Rick) Hansen and Colleen (Tim) Middleton; daughter-in-law, Barbara Drephal and son-in-law, Kenneth Gorges. Mary also leaves twenty eight grandchildren and forty three great-grandchildren. She is further survived by brothers, Marty (Viv) Vander Zanden, Rich (Kathy) Vander Zanden, Dr. Bob (Barbara) Vander Zanden, Ken Vander Zanden, Eugene (Joan) Vander Zanden, Don (Linda) Vander Zanden and Tom (Carla) Vander Zanden; brothers-in-law, Fred Techlin, Herb (Maxine) Fenske; sisters-in-law, Sherry Vander Zanden and Joyce Vander Zanden and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Marie Vander Zanden; sons, Larry Drephal Sr. and Marlin Fenske; daughter, Raelene Gorges; daughters-in-law, Julie Fenske; sisters and brothers-in-law, Nell and Don Reis and Ann and Bonny Kempen; sister, Patricia Techlin; brothers, Ray, John, Larry Vander Zanden; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Vander Zanden, Luanne Vander Zanden, Irma Handrich, Margaret Ross and Frieda Mirza and brothers-in-law, Herman, Martin, Ed and Ervin Fenske.
A Mass of Christian Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in New London with Fr. John Kleinschmidt officiating. The visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the mass. Burial will be in Most Precious Blood Cemetery, New London.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are being planned for Catholic Relief Services and for Food for the Poor.
To my family, relatives and friends…..I love you and thank you for being a part of my life. May God Bless you all!
A special thanks to our Angel Hilary and all the hospice staff, Dr. Mannebach and the nurses at Heart and Vascular Institute, Bob and Susie and the Fremont Ambulance. Our family is especially grateful to our sister Ginny, who graciously gave her time to care for mom. Another thank-you goes out to Harlow and Tari for providing our parents with delicious meals and helping with anything that was needed.
Cline and Hanson Funeral Home
209 W. Cook St
New London, WI 54961
920-982-3232
www.clinehansonfunealhome.com
