Rose Mary Wanless

Rose Mary Wanless, age 94, of Richland Center, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Our House Senior Living.
Born the youngest of five siblings, Rose Mary was born on March 3, 1930, the daughter of Hubert and Clara (Klein) Schmitz of Bear Valley, WI.
On October 4, 1952, Rose Mary married Duane Wanless at St. Kilian's Church, and together they built a life full of love and hard work. They first lived in Gotham, WI, before purchasing a farm in Little Willow, WI, where they raised their family.
In 1969, Rose Mary and Duane took a bold step, purchasing the Riverside Bar and Motel, where they ran a successful business for the next ten years. With the support of their children, the business thrived.
In 1975, they seized the opportunity to purchase another farm on Nebraska Hollow Road, where they raised cattle, hogs, and occasionally a litter of puppies. Rose Mary's love for animals was well-known-any cattle on the farm quickly became pets in her eyes. She continued to live on the farm she cherished until just a couple of years ago.
Rose Mary had a deep passion for gardening, loved taking walks in the woods, and spent countless hours birdwatching. Her connection to nature and the land was central to the joy she found in her daily life.
Rose Mary is survived by her children: Karen and Dan Krueger of Richland Center; Allen Wanless of Richland Center; Elaine and Scott MacDonald of Spring Green; David and Connie Wanless of Richland Center; Dan Wanless of Arlington, TX; and Janine Burke of Stoughton, WI. 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Duane, her son Dennis Wanless, son-in-law Francis Kaul, her daughter-in-law Valerie Stewart-Wanless and her siblings Virginia Erstad, Kenneth Schmitz, Lucille Pulvermacher, and Robert Schmitz
Her legacy of love, hard work, and devotion to family and the land will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church. Monsignor Roger J. Scheckel will officiate with burial at St. Kilian's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 4 PM – 6 PM at Clary Memorial Funeral Home and also at church on Thursday from 10 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School in Richland Center. www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com
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