Mary Ann Bosben

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Mary A. Bosben, age 85, a long-time Madison resident, died peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2023 at UW Hospital, surrounded by her family, four weeks after a fall in her home.  Mary was born on February 23, 1938 in Madison, the third child of H. Russell and Dora (Bergsland) Twiton.  She grew up in Sun Prairie and had a nice childhood in a great family.  They were very involved in activities at their Church, and this became a lifelong habit for Mary.  She had fond memories of Luther League, Bible Camp and other church events.  She graduated from Sun Prairie High School, class of 1955, as Valedictorian, and served as editor of the school newspaper.

            She graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis in 1959 with a degree in Medical Technology.  She was a member of the Augsburg College Choir that sang at the White House for Eisenhower. She worked as a Medical Technologist at Methodist Hospital 1959-61, Children’s Hospital in Seattle 1961-64, Marshfield Medical Center 1964-65, and Group Health Cooperative 1984-2005. 

            On Sept. 5, 1959, Mary married Robert J. Bosben of Madison, with whom she enjoyed 50 years of marriage until his passing in 2009.  They were blessed with three children.  Mary left her career for nearly 20 years so she could stay home with her children.  She was an excellent mother.  She did all sorts of things to make our childhoods great.  She made fancy birthday cakes, sewed clothes, made drapes, reupholstered furniture, babysat, helped at school, and was a Cub Scout and Brownie leader.  She was amazingly patient and tolerant.  Our house was always the gathering place for the neighborhood kids because she was so welcoming.  She was always willing to help with whatever we needed, such as staying up all night typing a term paper or helping us deliver thousands of newspapers.  She always put the needs of her children and husband ahead of her own.  Mom and Dad sacrificed a lot for us, and we will be forever grateful.  It’s impossible to explain how great they were.  We loved them so much.  

            Mary was a dedicated Christian who was very active at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1966.  Church was always a focal point of her life.  Whenever she made a tasty treat, we always had to ask, “Are these for church?”  She volunteered for countless activities over the years, sang in the Choir from 1966 until last month, was in the Handbell Choir, the Women’s Circle, and led the Heartsong Group.  She enjoyed singing solos, and duets with her husband.  She also sang in the UW Choral Union and the Madison Festival Choir for many years.  She played the piano quite well and could still sit down and play pieces she hadn’t seen for 60 years.

            Mary enjoyed sewing, knitting, making greeting cards, going to “the cottage” in Door County, and spending time with her family and friends.  If she had a cup of coffee, a little snack, and someone to share it with, she was happy.  She was a quiet lady who didn’t complain and got along well with everyone.  Her life was simple and uneventful, but she was grateful for what she had and was ready to move on, content in her faith in Jesus.  She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends.

            Mary is survived by her three children Bruce (Gwen), Sue (Doug) Huxtable, and Brian (Wendy), seven grandchildren John and Stephen Bosben, Megan and Sarah Huxtable, and Madeline, Natalie and Emily Bosben, along with many nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, sister Dorothy Twiton and brother, Rev. Robert Twiton.  She really missed them and is now reunited.

            A visitation with the family will be held at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd. on Thursday Dec. 14 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  The funeral service will be at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5701 Raymond Rd. at 11:00 am on Friday Dec. 15, with a visitation from 10:00 am until the time of the service.  Burial will be at Burke Lutheran Church.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or Burke Lutheran Church.