Mary J. Paul

Mary Anita Jans Paul, age 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Shorehaven Health and Rehabilitation Center, Oconomowoc. She was born the second of twelve children to Mary S. Burns Jans and Peter N. Jans in Evanston, Illinois, on July 26, 1918. Mary graduated from Saint Athanasius Elementary School in Evanston and Immaculate Conception Academy in Davenport, Iowa. She met her future husband at a 'first in school history' prom when Mary was a high school senior at ICA and John was a freshman at St. Ambrose College in Davenport. Though not paired together by the nuns, they did meet at the pre-dance reception where Mary learned John was from Fort Dodge and knew two of her aunts and an uncle there. After high school Mary attended Clarke College in Dubuque. She was particularly proud of her senior solo stage performance of 'Herself, Mrs. Patrick Crowley, a Romantical Tale,' a requirement for her degree in drama. After John graduated and took a job in Washington DC, Mary was hired as a stewardess for Pennsylvania Central Airlines which just happened to fly in and out of Washington. Over the 67 years of their happy marriage which produced two sons and a daughter, John was not too infrequently heard to describe this period thusly: 'She chased me till I caught her.' Mary was a lifelong devout Catholic. She dedicated herself to the happiness of her family. She also enjoyed flower gardening, and cooking for family, friends, neighbors and relatives. With such a large extended family there were many happy reunions, baptisms, weddings, anniversaries, Thanksgivings and Christmases. While the kids were young she actively participated in their various school activities. Later she took art classes and developed her talents to the taking of a first place in graphics in a local show in Sedona, Arizona. Her favorite media were acrylics, pastels and drawings. During their life together Mary and John traveled widely including to Europe on their 25th wedding anniversary and to the Baltic on their 50th. Other trips included to Spain, Portugal, the Middle East, Ireland, Central America, Australia and New Zealand. An especially fun adventure was a cruise on the Danube with her daughter Maureen. Throughout her long life, Mary remained an unrepentant liberal. She worked hard for her causes and joined and supported organizations dedicated to improving the lots of the less fortunate. To these ends, among other endeavors, she was co-founder of the Middleton Child Development Center, a volunteer driver for food stamp recipients, Family Affairs Chairman of the Madison diocesan Council of Catholic women, Saint Bernard's Christian Mothers President, and was a Eucharistic minister, lector and minister to the sick. Mary was the most gentle, loving, non-judgmental and generous person. She actually gave the shirt off her back...and her car too. More than words can say, she loved her John and he, her. The world is a lesser place with her gone. She is most deeply missed. Her spirit of life lives on in those that survive her. Survivors include two sons, Michael and Robert (Bob), and a daughter, Maureen (Dennis) Iglar; siblings Rita (Tom) Kent, Rosie (Gordon) Sheahen, and Carol (Donald) Dierbeck; grandchildren Jennifer Paul (Mark Banik), Steven Paul, David (Sarah, great grandchild due February 16) Paul, Neal and Teri Gold Sullivan, Adam Paul, Chris (Kelli Thompson) Iglar, and Brian Iglar; and great grandchildren Nyah, Averie and Taryn Banik, Sophie, Ellie and Maggie Iglar, Nelson and Phoenix Gold Sullivan and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her two favorite daughter-in-laws, Carol (Mike) and Katie (Bob), her brothers Francis (in infancy), Robert (Marguerite), Jack (Ann) and Peter D (Joan) Jans, her sisters Joanne (David) Lewis, Terry (Joseph) Leshock, Patricia (Robert) Doll, Virginia (Paul) Frank and several nieces and nephews. In accordance with Mary's wishes her body will be cremated, the ashes co-mingled with John's. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice. A celebration of Mary's life will be scheduled and announced in the spring. The family wishes to thank the staff of Shorehaven for their wonderful care, attention and support. Pagenkopf Funeral Home, Oconomowoc, is assisting the family. Condolences and memories may be left at pagenkopf.com.