Mary Ann F. (Frances) Werner, age 95, formerly of Gleason, died Thursday, February 24, 2011, at Fair Oaks Rehabilitation & Health Center, South Beloit, Illinois.
Mary Ann was born January 13, 1916, in Broadview, Illinois, daughter of the late Henry and Ina (Parks) Behn. She was the youngest of seven children. The Behn family moved to the Gleason area when Mary Ann was 4 months old, settling on a 160 acre farm that still exists. She attended the former Rice School for eight years and graduated on the honor roll. Her teacher wanted her to attend high school, but Mr. Behn flatly refused. Mary Ann worked on her parent’s farm until she was age 21. She then married Henry Werner on January 23, 1937, in Gleason. The marriage ended with his death on January 10, 2001. Henry and Mary Ann farmed in the Gleason area. She had also worked at Weinbrenner Shoe Company and for 32 years at the former Hansen Glove Factory, both in Merrill. In 1959, Henry and Mary Ann moved into Gleason. She retired when she reached age 66. Mary Ann continued to stay active, working at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Gleason as the church secretary, Ladies Aid member, and choir. She enjoyed gardening and traveling. Her late husband was a Surge Milk Company dealer for 17 years, and if he made his sales quotas, he was awarded a trip. As a result of his success, Henry and Mary Ann traveled to the Bahamas, Spain, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Greece, and Africa.
Mary Ann is survived by her son, Tom (Peggy) Werner, Rockford, Illinois; her son in law, Jerome Kolberg, Wausau; her grandchildren, Linda (Tom) Wix, and Jeff Kolberg, both of Wausau, Jon Werner, Roscoe, Illinois, Rob (Samantha)Werner, Kansas City, Missouri, and Patricia Ann Howe, Rockford; and her great grandchildren, Trevor, Tyler, Ian, Jake, Dakota, Caden, and Will. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her daughter, Gale Kolberg, and a great grandson, Mason.
The funeral will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Gleason. The Rev. Steven L. Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Luther Memorial Church Cemetery, Town of Russell. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Monday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and at the church on Tuesday after 9:00 A.M. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com
The Werner Family sincerely thanks the wonderful and compassionate staff at Fair Oaks for the comfortable home they made for Mary Ann the past 3 years.