Mary Lou Peters

1952 - 2021

Mary Lou Peters

Kaukauna - Mary Lou Peters, age 68, died surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at ThedaCare Medical Center, Appleton, after a long struggle with chronic health problems.

She was born in Appleton on September 23, 1952 to the late Elmer and Arlene (Dorn) Peters. She grew up on the family farm north of Sherwood, graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1966, Kaukauna High School in 1970, and earned her B.S. in Art with high honors from UW Oshkosh in 1974.

During 38 years working at Parkside Care Center in Little Chute, Mary touched countless lives as a nursing assistant, activities director, and physical therapy assistant. Her unmistakable hearty laugh left absolutely no doubt she was close by. Mary loved hearing, and even more, telling a good story, shooting the breeze, or sharing a joke or friendly jibe with family, friends and anyone she met. She enjoyed travel, camping, photography, birdwatching and kayaking with her best friend and life partner, Ron.

Mary is survived by her close friend Ronald Brooks, Kaukauna; her siblings: Barbara (Peter) Buechel, Kaukauna; Patricia (Keith) Haldiman, Town of Woodville; Mark (Sharon) Peters, Village of Harrison; Michael (Sharon Taylor) Peters, Green Bay; and John (Tami) Peters, Appleton. She is further survived by four nieces and nine nephews, and longtime friend Jean Lamers Dore, Alaska.

A funeral service will be held at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 2401 Fieldcrest Drive, Kaukauna on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 11 am, Rev. Jim Vanden Hogen officiating. Friends may visit from 9 to 11 am. Burial will take place in the spring at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Sherwood.

Special thanks and gratitude to the entire ThedaCare Medical Center-Appleton ICU staff, especially Dr. Jenssen and RN's Rachel, Penny, Mary, Kelly and Kelsey, the wound care staff, hospice nurse Zoua, and to Dr. Paul Russo of the Kaukauna Clinic.