The journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take.

-J.R.R Tolkien

On Friday, September 20th, Mary Kathryn Maslowske continued on to her next journey.

Mary was born on May 7th, 1938 in Wausau, WI, to Anton and Bessie (Mahanna) Maslowske. She was the youngest of six children.

Mary graduated from Mosinee Senior High in 1956. After high school, she attended Central State Teacher's College in Stevens Point WI, graduating in 1960. In 1971, she received her Master's degree in Education from Northern Michigan University.

After graduating, Mary taught PhyEd and Science in Weyauwega for two years. She then moved to Green Bay and taught for the Green Bay Public School System from 1963 until her retirement in 1993. During the span of her career, Mary taught PhyEd and Health classes at East and Preble High Schools and was very influential in adding programs like Cross Country Skiing and SnowShoeing to the athletic options available to students. Mary was also a coach for many of the girl's sports teams, including track and field, volleyball, and tennis at East High School. In 1972, under Mary's coaching leadership, the Preble High Girls Golf team qualified for the WIAA State Golf Tournament and in 1973, Mary led the team to the State Championship where they finished as the WIAA State Runner-Up Team. Mary's passion for athletics inspired countless young ladies to pursue athletics at a higher level upon completion of high school.

Mary also officiated High School Girls Basketball in Green Bay, and in 1976 she officiated at the very first WIAA Girls State Basketball tournament in Madison. In 1978, Mary made Wisconsin high school athletics history when she was selected as the first of two women to officiate a boy's Class C Subregional game between Amherst and Rosholt in Iola, Wisconsin.

Outside of athletics and teaching, Mary was active in organizations related to her work. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Zeta and active in the Local Teachers Union, even participating in the teacher salary negotiations of 1967 and serving as a delegate to the state convention. Mary was also elected Director for the Green Bay City Employees Credit Union in 1976.

Mary retired from teaching at East High School after 30 years of service to the Green Bay Public School System. Upon her retirement, Mary was honored by East High School and Green Bay Public Schools with a dedication of the school's newly remodeled fitness center in her name.

Mary's love for athletics and community involvement continued for many years after her retirement. She was a tour guide for Moore Fun Tours, as well as a Stadium Tour Guide for the Green Bay Packers. Mary's travels in retirement took her to Ireland with her sister Margaret and niece Judy Malone Waterman, and on multiple occasions she and Marg visited Judy on Sanibel Island, Florida to escape the cold Wisconsin winters.

Mary served as President of the Brown County Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of the Shamrock Club of Green Bay, the St. Vincent Hospital Auxiliary, and Hats Off to Women. Mary was proud of her involvement in local politics, including Nancy Nusbaum's successful re-election campaign for Brown County Executive in 1999.

It is probably not a surprise that Mary was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and season ticket holder. She was very proud of attending the Ice Bowl in 1967. Mary continued her love of golfing after retirement and enjoyed golf competitions at the Stevens Point Country Club with her friends.

Mary often spent time at her sister Marg's cottage (The Owl's Nest) on Lake Helen in Rosholt. Fishing was one of her favorite lake activities. She was famous for catching a huge Northern and would revel in telling the story, especially about how the locals at the lake tavern were in disbelief of her catch! Mary's family is still looking for the picture of her with her record fish to prove to all that this wasn't a fish tale!!

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Bessie (Mahanna) Maslowske, her brother Wallace Malone, sisters Elizabeth Baur, Rosemarie Sheedy, Adeline Lutz, sister-in-law Alyce Malone, brothers-in-law Charles Baur, Delmar Sheedy, nephew Mike Baur, and niece-in-law Dana Sheedy.

Mary is survived by her sister Margaret Maslowske of Green Bay, and brother-in-law James Lutz of Shawano. Mary will be missed by many generations of nieces and nephews, but most of all she will be missed by her sister Margaret Maslowske, who was influential in Mary's success.

Friends and family will gather at St. Matthew Parish, 130 St. Matthew St., from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 5; Mass to follow at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Robert Kabat officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

God puts the perfect people in your life when you need them the most. Thank you to Stephanie and the entire staff at Woodside Lutheran Home- Mulberry Unit for their loving care given to Mary over the last 6 years. A Lambeau Field memorial brick is being planned to honor Mary's love of the Green Bay Packers. In lieu of flowers Mary's family is accepting contributions toward her memorial.