Mary D. Wistenberg

Mary D. Wistenberg, 97, of Viroqua, died Tuesday January 18, 2011 at the Bethel Home in Viroqua where she had been a resident since September 2009. She was born December 15, 1913 to Thomas and Ida Belle (Newlun) Mossholder on Sugar Grove Ridge near Bloomingdale. She attended Sugar Grove grade school and graduated from Viroqua High School in 1934. Mary was united in marriage to Henry "Hank" Wistenberg on August 28, 1935. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Dixie and Judi. Along with raising her girls, Mary found employment through the years at Superior Dry Cleaning, the Viroqua radio station and Slack and Nelson, Inc. Mary was also a talented seamstress and excelled at embroidery, knitting and crocheting. The couple enjoyed dancing and a friendly game of cards. In 1966 they moved to Janesville. Again Mary kept busy with office work. After 49 years of marriage, Henry passed away in 1984. Mary loved to watch the news and cheer on her favorite sports teams. She was a proud lifelong member of the Viroqua VFW Auxiliary. Twice Mary has courageously battled breast cancer, most recently only 5 years ago.

Survivors include 2 daughters Dixie Showen of Genoa and Judi (Lee) Ziegelmann of Janesville; five grandchildren Kim (Tim) Scribner of Rochester, Minn., Kelly (Gene) Schadel of Janesville, Brad (Paula) Ziegelmann of Evansville, Jeff Ziegelmann (fiancAC. Amy) and Julie Kraft both of Janesville; 12 great grandchildren 3 great great grandchildren and a sister-in-law Arlene Wistenberg of Viroqua and several other nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters Luthera Johnson and Corrine Oliver; two brothers John and Don Mossholder and a son-in-law Robert Showen.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday January 21, 2011 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. Rev. Margaret Eiben Hoversten and Rev. Lindsay Jordan will officiate with burial in Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 11:30 until service time. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family. Memorials may be given to the Vernon County Historical Society or the Bethel Home activities department.