Mary Katherine Dussling

Mary Katherine Dussling, age 69, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at UW hospital after a brief illness. Mary was born in Shawano, Wisconsin on June 29, 1955 to Bernard and Marie Dussling (nee Piehl).

She grew up in Bonduel, Wisconsin, the youngest of four children. Mary attended schools in Bonduel, graduating from Bonduel High School in 1973. She attended UW Stout graduating as a Bachelor of Science majoring in Sociology in 1977. 

After graduation, Mary was involved in county weatherization and solarization programs in northwestern Wisconsin where she enjoyed the hands-on building aspects of these programs.

Mary moved to the Madison area in the early 1990’s. Her building experience and interest in quality construction led her to take extensive training to become a building inspector. Mary was very conscientious and always had both the builders and the owners in mind as she valued the time and safety of her projects. During this time, she moved to Oregon, Wisconsin and purchased a home she was happy to own and enjoyed maintaining.

In her mid-life, she learned about bats and their benefit to nature. She was inspired to start her own small business focused on providing housing for bats. She learned how to construct bat houses and how to market them. She displayed her bat house products at many garden shows and gained national recognition for her houses. She sold bat houses to many private and government customers, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. She also donated houses to organizations. Mary was always interested in animals and at various times had a horse and numerous beloved dogs. All received her tender care.

Mary enjoyed celebrating holidays and celebrations with family and friends, providing homemade treats for all to enjoy. She always remembered birthdays, anniversaries and major events in family and friends’ lives with cards and calls. 

Mary will be dearly missed by her sister, Patricia Wyman, and brothers, William Dussling and John Dussling and wife Frankye, nieces, nephews, and life-long friends. Mary will be remembered lovingly for her free spirit, ready laugh, and compassionate heart. 

Mary was very well cared for at UW hospitals. She was so grateful for the compassionate attention she received from all staff members and outside hospice agency services. A memorial for Mary will be held at a later date.