Mary Adler

WAUNAKEE-Mary Ellen Adler, age 97, died peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. She was born in Manitowoc on Oct. 5, 1917 to William and Catherine (Dorey) Smith. The family moved to Madison, where she attended the one-room Mendota Grade School. After grade school she attended Edgewood High School, traveling there via the Monroe Streetcar, and later using her father's Model-T Ford. She graduated in 1935. She went on to attend Edgewood College where she studied journalism. She was active in the Edgewood Envoy newsletter and in drama. She loved school and enjoyed writing, hoping to pursue a career in journalism. In 1936 her career plans changed when her family lost their house to a fire. After the fire, she took a job at Mendota Hospital. On May 19, 1937 she married Roman Adler, and they were happily married for seventy years. During World War II, she worked in Waunakee as a receptionist for the village doctor and also as an operator for the Waunakee Telephone Company. In 1951, she was hired as an employee at Webcrafters Printing Company, where she worked for 32 years. She started as a proofreader on the night shift where she helped prepare documents for the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly's activities from that day. Fascinated by the Linotype machine, she was granted permission to operate one and continued to set type until computers replaced molten lead for printing operations.

Mary Ellen enjoyed all types of music and playing the piano. Her love of music started early in life when she helped all of her family members prepare for performances. She continued her piano lessons after retirement and volunteered her talent playing at the Waunakee Manor. She also did other volunteer work for the Waunakee School District.

Mary Ellen is survived by her sisters Margaret LaCrosse and Naomi (Raphael) Slack; three sons, Terence (Constance), Timothy (Candace) and Thomas; three grandchildren, David (Kjerstine), Heather and Rebecca (Alex); and three great-grandchildren.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her son, David; her parents, William and Catherine Smith; and her three brothers, William, George and Kenneth.

Visitation will be held at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 County Highway Q, Waunakee on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM, and again from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Monday, Sept. 21 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee. A funeral mass will be celebrated following the visitation. Burial will be at the church cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mary Ellen's name to the Agrace HospiceCare Inc, 5395 E Cheryl Pkwy, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, WI