Mary Dorothea Heil

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. 

Mary Dorothea Heil (nee Graham) loved watching birds and sewing quilts — but, most of all, she cherished her family.

Mary was born in Dallas, Texas on April 14, 1947. While she and her family moved often, Mary spent her teenage years in Skokie, Illinois. She graduated from Marywood High School in nearby Evanston and went on to attend Dominican College in Racine, Wisconsin where she studied mathematics.

In 1968, Mary was set up on a blind date with her future husband, Russ. After dating for only 11 months, they wed in a beautiful ceremony in the backyard of her parent's home. The couple celebrated 55 years of marriage last fall.

Mary was devoted to her three children and adored her five grandchildren. At their dance recitals, choir concerts, and theater performances, baseball games and soccer matches, she beamed with pride. Taking great pleasure in watching them discover their passions, develop their personalities, and become the remarkable people they are today.

Over the years, she became an accomplished sewer and quilter. She dedicated countless hours piecing new quilts for new arrivals in the family. She also painted watercolors, crocheted, and cross-stitched. Recently, she embroidered pieces for each of her children, based on special memories they shared. Her thoughtfulness will be treasured by generations to come.

Mary’s generosity and inclusivity was inspired by the abundance found in nature. When she observed the skies, she searched for eagles and hawks, admiring their freedom and strength. She delighted in the unique characteristics of individual flowers as well as their collective beauty. She will be remembered always, but especially each Spring as the crocuses begin to bloom.

Mary is survived by her husband, Russell Heil; her children Mary (Keith) Moran, Gregory (Jill) Heil, and Laura (Jasen) Kinart; along with grandchildren Cedella, Logan and Harrison Kinart, Amelia and Charlotte Heil, and Katherine (Jordan) DeGraff; and great-grandchildren Maxwell and Archer DeGraff, and close family friend Kate Shortall.Also surviving are her siblings, Barbara Graham, Richard Graham, Janet Graham, Virginia Graham, and Carole Graham; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda (Heil) Tvrdik and William Sturm; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Graham and Mary (Unger) Graham; mother-and father-in-law Helen (Herman) Heil and Gregory Heil; brother Robert Graham, brother-in-law Eugene Heil, sister-in-law Geraldine Schoepke, brothers-in-law Jim McMahon and Max Schoepke, and niece Jessie Richardson.

Her family is grateful for the medical providers who offered exceptional care to Mary in her final years, including Dr. Debra Muggler, Dr. Muhammad Akbar, Dr. Daniel Walden, Dr. Robert Kronk, Kayla Davis, APNP, and the team at Angel's Grace Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, her family respectfully requests that donations be made in her memory to the Wildlife In Need Center in Waukesha, WI.

To celebrate Mary’s life and the joy she brought to others, a visitation will take place at Pagenkopf Funeral Home (NEW LOCATION: 2228 N. Silver Maple Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066) on Monday, March 17, at 10:00 AM followed by a service with Pastor Wes Werner presiding.