Mary Jane Pirsig

Mary Jane (Enger) Pirsig, 87, of Onalaska, Wisconsin passed away peacefully at the Onalaska Care Center on August 22, 2017. She was born on July 16, 1930 in Blue Earth, Minnesota to Julius and Harriet (Simser) Enger. Mary graduated as Valedictorian of the Blue Earth High School class of 1948.  She attended the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota, earning her nursing degree in 1951. She worked as a registered nurse in a wide variety of professional settings for many years.

She married her high school sweetheart, Wayne Pirsig, on November 25, 1951 in Blue Earth. Mary and Wayne began their married life in Blue Earth, and later lived in Sun Prairie, Athens, Lancaster, Antigo, and Appleton, Wisconsin, with their final move to Onalaska in 1984. She was the loving and devoted mother of Jane (Gene) Shudy of Appleton, Wisconsin; Susan (Michael) Kenney of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Nancy (Timothy Henke) Reithel of Onalaska, Wisconsin, and William (Laura) Pirsig of South Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Mary was blessed with eight grandchildren, who loved her dearly: Anne (Ben Palmer) Shudy Palmer, Matthew (Mary) Shudy, David (Jenny) Shudy, Patrick Kenney, Amy (Samuel) Julian, Susan (Michael) Vehar, Meghan Pirsig, and Samuel Pirsig; her great grandchildren: Cora & Gabriel Palmer, William & Annabelle Shudy, Madalyn & Walter Shudy, Nora & Aaron Julian, and Ellie Vehar.

She is survived by her sisters Kathryn (Frederic) Sjostrom and Julie (Douglas) Nelson; sister-in-law Danette “Pink” Enger; brother-in-law Edward (Myrna) Pirsig; her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and by many loved nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Harriet & Julius Enger; husband Wayne Pirsig (November 2001); mother & father in-law Escher & Dora Pirsig; brother John Enger; brother-in-law Wesley (Barbara) Pirsig; sister-in-law Berdeen (Dustin) Kerr; and her nieces Debra Pirsig, Sandra (Pirsig) Hanson and Inger Sjostrom.

Mary loved her family and her many friends, and cherished her church family at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Onalaska.  She enjoyed spending time with family, volunteering at church, traveling with Wayne, gardening, corresponding with old friends, and the companionship of her pets. Mary’s life has been an example to us all, embodying the fruit of the spirit in her enduring patience, gentleness and kindness, her love of everyone she knew, and her faithfulness to the Lord.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday August 26 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 1215 Redwood Street in Onalaska. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Donald M. Stein and Rev. David Shudy will officiate with a luncheon following the service.  Memorial contributions can be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Onalaska. Mary’s family extends a special thank you to Gundersen Hospice and the Onalaska Care Center staff for their wonderful care and kindness shown to her during the past year