October 29, 2019 – West Bend, WI –Mary M. Bardoel (nee Haischer) of West Bend, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 28, 2019 at the age of 82.
Mary was born on May 21, 1937 in Hancock, MI to Theodore and Margaret (nee Eva) Haischer and raised in Atlantic Mine, MI and later in Mequon, WI. Mary’s childhood was deeply rooted in faith. Her faith was her greatest gift and inspiration throughout her life. She graduated from Cedarburg High School and Cardinal Stritch College with a degree in teaching. Upon graduating, she taught for 3 years in Milwaukee.
Wanting some adventure in her life and believing she should do some good, she went to Kingston, Jamaica and taught 5th grade as a volunteer in a Catholic Mission School for 2 years. She returned to Wisconsin for 2 years and then traveled to Alaska where Mary took a summer course at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. She loved Alaska’s grandeur and volunteered to teach in a Catholic Mission School in Nulato, an Indian Village on the Yukon River, hundreds of miles from the nearest road. Mary decided to stay in Alaska and taught 5th grade on the Air Force base near Fairbanks where she met her husband Roger.
Mary had many fond memories of the people of Jamaica and Nulato and many stories to tell. She loved the optimism they had about life. One of Mary’s favorite sayings was “Life is Sweet!” For Mary, life was always very sweet. She shared her sweetness and loving spirit wherever she went.
Mary is survived by Roger, her husband of 47 years, and daughter Stephanie Bell of Franklin, IN. She is further survived by her cherished granddaughters Alexis and Emily Bell, son-in-law Ricky Bell, brother Ted (Peachy) Haischer of Cedarburg, sisters Judy (Tom) Atherton of San Antonio, TX, Stephanie (Steve) Southwell of Mequon, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Her parents Theodore and Margaret Haischer preceded her in death.
A Funeral Service will be at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, November 4, 2019 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel of West Bend with Rev. John Tinsley presiding. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday, November 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Mequon. Memorials are appreciated to Aurora Zilber Family Hospice (1155 Honey Creek Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53213).
A Special Thank You to the wonderful doctors, nurses and chaplain at Aurora at Home Hospice for all their loving care of Mary.
