Maria Jane Gartner

Maria Jane Gartner, 26, of West Salem, formerly of La Crosse, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

She was born May 7, 1991, in La Crosse, to John and Cindy (Heintz) Gartner. Maria was a graduate of Central High School and Western Technical College, both in La Crosse. She was currently employed at Benedictine Manor in La Crosse. Maria was a beautiful ray of sunshine who had a heart of gold. She was always there for others and cared with all her heart. She could put a smile on anyone’s face and was a dear friend to all. It was with the love of her life, Kyle, that she had learned to appreciate nature, hunting, biking, and kayaking. Maria had hopes of building a future with Kyle, but God had bigger plans for her. She once said, she wanted to live her life to the fullest, and we believe she made every single moment count. Even though she left us too soon, she is safely resting peacefully in God’s arms forever until we can be reunited with her again.

Maria will be sadly and forever missed by the love of her life, Kyle Cornell, and his family; her mother, Cindy Gartner; her father, John Gartner and his girlfriend, Wanda Popejoy; her brother, Chet; her maternal grandparents, Eugene “Sam” and Virginia Heintz of Brownsville, Minn.; her paternal great-grandmother, Elva Schneider; loving aunts and uncles, Kathy Gartner and her boyfriend, Jamie Peaslee, Tim (Natalie) Heintz, and John (Lori) Heintz; numerous cousins; and several other loving family members, extended family, and special friends; as well as her beloved pets, Nella, Huckleberry, and Rhubarb. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Elroy and Rita Gartner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 1 ^st at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Rev. Rick Roberts officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4-7 P.M. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse; and again, on Tuesday at the church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.

When I look back on my favorite memories,

I often see you…

With warmth in your smile,

Love in your voice,

And comfort in your hugs.

You’ve always made my world

a happier place to be…

And you still do.

I love you-

- to the moon and back,

-Mom