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Mary E. Wickhem, 91, of Janesville, WI was peacefully reunited with her beloved husband, John C. Wickhem on Thursday, June 6, 2013. Mary was born in Darlington, WI on April 13, 1922, the daughter of John J. and Mable (Meyer) Boyle. She grew up in Darlington where she attended school later graduating from Edgewood High School, Madison where she was an honor roll student and prom queen. Mary graduated from U-W Madison and was a long-time avid Badger fan having been a season ticket holder for football and basketball games since the 1940’s. Mary married John C. Wickhem on February 20, 1945. Throughout the years, Mary worked and supported John with his work as a well-known Janesville attorney. She often could be seen sitting in the back row of  courtroom watching a trial. Mary was one of the first women to be a member of  the Rock County Board of Supervisors and served as a vice-chairperson for a time. She served on the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women, the Wisconsin Welfare Council and the Rock County Board of Welfare.  Mary was a prime mover in speeding the construction of the Veterans Memorial bridge on Memorial Drive, Janesville and cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremonies in 1970. Mary was a major supporter of the International Crane Foundation since it was established near Baraboo, Wisconsin in 1973. She served as Chairman of the Board from 1978 to 2000 and never missed one of the four meetings of the Board each year during those 22 years. She accompanied ICF staff to many important sites for cranes in Africa, Asia and North America. Mary’s intelligence, charisma, leadership abilities and commitment to ICF made an enormous contribution to conservation worldwide. She continued to be active with ICF until the end.                                    Mary was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church and her family was one of the founding families of St. William Catholic Church. She was a member of the board of directors of the Carbone Cancer Center and was active in Ducks Unlimited.  A true conservationist, Mary enjoyed time with her husband and family in Canada at “Wickhem’s Folly”, an island in Lake of the Woods, Ontario where they hunted and fished. Surviving are four children, John B. (Donna) Wickhem of Janesville, James D. (Barbara) Wickhem of Janesville, Maryanne (Al) Wickhem Kessel of Elm Grove, WI, Patty (Steven) Wickhem Schumacher of Janesville, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one sister, Roseanne Westphal of Waukesha, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband on September 21, 1987. Her parents, four brothers and one sister also predeceased her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 11:30 am preceded by visitation from 9 am Saturday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the International Crane Foundation, Agrace HospiceCare, or St. Elizabeth Manor “A special thank you to Agrace HospiceCare and St. Elizabeth Manor for making Mary’s final days comfortable and peaceful.” The family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home.

Mary E. Wickhem, 91, of Janesville, WI was peacefully reunited with her beloved husband, John C. Wickhem on Thursday, June 6, 2013. Mary was born in Darlington, WI on April 13, 1922, the daughter of John J. and Mable (Meyer) Boyle. She grew up in Darlington where she attended school later graduating from Edgewood High School, Madison where she was an honor roll student and prom queen. Mary graduated from U-W Madison and was a long-time avid Badger fan having been a season ticket holder for football and basketball games since the 1940’s. Mary married John C. Wickhem on February 20, 1945. Throughout the years, Mary worked and supported John with his work as a well-known Janesville attorney. She often could be seen sitting in the back row of  courtroom watching a trial. Mary was one of the first women to be a member of  the Rock County Board of Supervisors and served as a vice-chairperson for a time. She served on the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women, the Wisconsin Welfare Council and the Rock County Board of Welfare.  Mary was a prime mover in speeding the construction of the Veterans Memorial bridge on Memorial Drive, Janesville and cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremonies in 1970. Mary was a major supporter of the International Crane Foundation since it was established near Baraboo, Wisconsin in 1973. She served as Chairman of the Board from 1978 to 2000 and never missed one of the four meetings of the Board each year during those 22 years. She accompanied ICF staff to many important sites for cranes in Africa, Asia and North America. Mary’s intelligence, charisma, leadership abilities and commitment to ICF made an enormous contribution to conservation worldwide. She continued to be active with ICF until the end.                                    Mary was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church and her family was one of the founding families of St. William Catholic Church. She was a member of the board of directors of the Carbone Cancer Center and was active in Ducks Unlimited.  A true conservationist, Mary enjoyed time with her husband and family in Canada at “Wickhem’s Folly”, an island in Lake of the Woods, Ontario where they hunted and fished. Surviving are four children, John B. (Donna) Wickhem of Janesville, James D. (Barbara) Wickhem of Janesville, Maryanne (Al) Wickhem Kessel of Elm Grove, WI, Patty (Steven) Wickhem Schumacher of Janesville, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one sister, Roseanne Westphal of Waukesha, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband on September 21, 1987. Her parents, four brothers and one sister also predeceased her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 11:30 am preceded by visitation from 9 am Saturday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the International Crane Foundation, Agrace HospiceCare, or St. Elizabeth Manor “A special thank you to Agrace HospiceCare and St. Elizabeth Manor for making Mary’s final days comfortable and peaceful.” The family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home.