MARY VIRGINIA (Schaefer) AVERY, age 76, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away January 1, 2011 after a lengthy illness. Mary was born at home on a farm in the Township of Maple Grove on August 31, 1934 to Harry F. and Irene A. (OConnell) Schaefer. Mary attended grade school at St. Patricks Catholic School in Maple Grove, graduated from Reedsville High School, class of 1952, and then from Holy Family School of Nursing, Manitowoc in 1955. She began her career at the Veterans Hospital in Iron Mountain, MI where she worked until 1957. On Sept. 7, 1957, she married Robert L. Avery of Neenah. She spent nine years working at Theda Clark Hospital. The couple and their two daughters, Patti and Jacque, moved from Neenah to Phoenix in 1966, where Mary was employed by St. Josephs Hospital until she retired from nursing in 1975. Bob and Mary celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2007 with their family in Phoenix. Mary enjoyed visiting friends and relatives, was a member of the Catholic Church, and loved being a Registered Nurse. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by those she has left behind. She is survived by her husband, Robert, daughters, Patricia Avery-Schuster (Robert) of Goodyear, AZ and Jacqueline Miller (Michael) of Phoenix, 5 grandchildren, Jennifer Lipman (Kevin Hubler) of Goodyear, Lawrence (Trey) Lipman, III of Phoenix, Ryan Lipman of Phoenix, Christopher Miller (Melinda) of Phoenix, and Sean Miller of Phoenix. Mary is also survived by 3 great-grandchildren, Aubrieana Miller, and Makennah and Brayden Hubler, 2 sisters-in-law, Judith (Radloff) Schaefer of Sheboygan and Inez (Svatek) Schaefer of Phoenix, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers John and James Schaefer. Mass of Christian burial will take place at Holy Family Catholic Church on HWY 10 in Brillion, Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 11 am. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Father Tom Long will officiate at the mass. Burial will take place at St. Patricks Cemetery Maple Grove, following the luncheon. The Wieting Funeral Home in Reedsville is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences may be made at www.wieting-funeralhome.com
