Mary Ann Gallenberger was born in Manitowoc, WI to Joseph and Elsie Ahl on July 2, 1933.  She passed peacefully to her heavenly home on October 24, 2020.

Mary Ann loved to share stories of her childhood in Manitowoc where she and her 10 siblings shared 2 bedrooms.  Life consisted of tending to various adopted animals, helping Dad in his glorious garden, and attending school.  The home became the center of fun for all the neighborhood children, and she carried this through to her adult life when her own home was open to all her children’s friends.

Mary Ann became “Mom” to many.  She thrived on feeding everyone, and food seemed to magically appear when the children gathered.  Through the years, countless friends and family members feasted on her famed Thanksgiving stuffing, apple pies, homemade pizzas, dumplings with sauerkraut, soups, and creamed eggs.  Once the children left the home, Mary Ann continued her joy in feeding people when she took a job at the St. Joseph’s Hospital cafeteria. After retiring, she enjoyed distributing food to seniors in low-income housing.

Mary Ann was fun-loving and embraced life.  She enjoyed playing games with her family and friends, trips to the casino, bingo at her parish, and shopping with her children.  Her biggest adventure in later life was a trip to Hawaii to see her son, Joe, and his wife, Jessi.  Several family members tagged along, making it a memorable trip for everyone.

Our mom was a strong, independent, and selfless woman. Her greatest joy in life was her children, and her love embraced not only her family, but everyone she knew.  We were blessed to have her for our mom, and now our precious memories of her will be held close in our hearts.

Mary Ann is survived by her loving children:  Ted (Terry) Gallenberger, Betsy (Mike) Bendykowski, Mike (Kathy) Gallenberger, Dave (Arlene) Gallenberger, Peggy Gallenberger, and Joe (Jessi) Gallenberger; 14 grandchildren:  Sarah, Mary Jo (Mario), Kurt, Mike, Mark (Shannon), Christy, Kelly, Amy (Kris), David, Katie (Michael), Rose, Danny, Allison, and Brittany; 9 great-grandchildren: Mia, Mason, Micah, TJ, Kali, Mackenzie, Brian, Melody, Sammy, and another one on the way; siblings Alice (Tony) Reimer, Bernice (Jerome) Brandl, Elaine (Al) Meyer, and sisters-in-law Ruth Ahl and Pat Ahl.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ann was preceded in death by brothers Bob (Dolly) Ahl, Gerald (Nelda) Ahl, Jim (Jane) Ahl, Ray Ahl, Norbert Ahl, and sisters Dorothy Hibbard and Fran Miller.

A very special thank you to Tasha and Tammy from Applewood Senior Living and to Badger Hospice.  Mary Ann’s journey was challenging, and you sent angels when they were needed the most, answering our prayers.  Our appreciation for your loving care and concern for Mary Ann and her family can never be properly expressed.  You are truly doing God’s work.

                   So I’ll sing Hallelujah,

               You were an angel in the shape of my mom

             When I fell down you’d be there holding me up

                         Spread your wings and I know

                         That when God took you back

                     He said, “Hallelujah, you’re home”

                                                                                 Ed Sheeran