Obituary for Mary Lee Slark

Mary Lee Slark, age 82 of Marshfield passed away on November 4, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:30 am at St. John’s Catholic Church, Marshfield. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 am until the time of the services. Interment will be at The Gates of Heaven Cemetery, with grandsons as pallbearers.

Mary was born August 11, 1941, in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of Henry & Gertie (Lentz) Ripp. She was raised in Waunakee, Wisconsin, graduating from Waunakee High School in 1959. On July 18, 1959, she married the love of her life Richard (Dick) Slark. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage. She was a loving, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was known for her great cooking, hospitality, patience and her door was always open for a hug or a special talk.  Her family was the focus of her life, and she cherished the time she spent with family and friends.  Mary worked various jobs over the years and did babysitting when her children were young. In 1969 Mary and Dick purchased a farm and moved to Granton, Wisconsin where she devoted her time to being a farm wife and raising their children. In 1988 she went back to school and got her medical assistant degree. She started work as a medical assistant at the Marshfield Clinic in 1990, retiring in 2010. Mary enjoyed reading and watching the Packers. She and Dick also enjoyed traveling or just heading to the lake for a day of fishing.

Mary will be dearly missed by her husband, Dick of Marshfield; her five children: Debbie (Brian) Bredlau of Owen, Mike (Lisa) Slark of Chaska, MN, Vicki Gotter, Sheri (Matt Lindner) Slark, and Rick Slark all of Marshfield. Twelve grandchildren: Sheena (Jake) Schlegel, Megan Bredlau, Tasha (Fitsum) Wolde, Derek (Brianna) Gotter, Brittany (Chad) Allen, Bailey Slark, Brandon (Madeleine Kunda) Bredlau, Cody (Michelle) Slark, Jered Gotter, Cortnie (Alex) Bendzick, Skyler Slark, Isaac (Val Kushnir) Slark. Ten great-grandchildren: Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jonah, Ezra, Judah Schlegel, Elias Wolde, Josephina and Ruby Gotter, Gunner Slark, and Wyatt Bendzick. She is further survived by her brother-in law and sister-in-law Dean and Diane Slark of Sauk City, sister-in-law Elaine (Charlie) Gehin of Waunakee and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; in-laws Glenn and Susie Slark, brothers; Henry (Porky) Ripp and

James (Jim) Ripp, sister-in-law Donna Stiemke, nephew; James Slark, niece; Jody (Slark) Coy.

The family would like to thank all of the staff from St. Croix Hospice for helping her on her journey. A memorial will be established at a later date.

Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com