Mary E. Stodola

Mary E. Stodola, 90, lifelong Superior resident, died Friday, May 5, 2017 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Proctor, MN. She was born on July 27, 1926 in Superior, WI to Denis Leo and Eva Mae (Corron) Hennessy, Sr.

She graduated from the former East High School and from St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth with a four year nursing degree. Mary had been employed at St. Francis Hospital in East End Superior where she worked until it became a nursing home which at that time she became director of nurses, a position she held for six and one half years. She also worked in Dr. C.J. Picard’s office and for St. Mary’s Hospital on Clough Avenue for many years retiring in 1978 after a total of thirty-one years of service.

Mary married John N. Stodola, III on February 4, 1950 in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Superior and celebrated fifty-seven years of marriage before John passed away on February 11, 2007. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and its Altar Society and sang in the choir. She was also a member of the Wisconsin Nurses Association. Mary and her husband chaperoned at the former Cathedral High School for dances, bus trips and athletic events. She enjoyed fishing, gardening and cooking.

Mary is survived by three sons, John (Ellen Harrington) Stodola, Schoolcraft, MI, Thomas (Mary Rose) Stodola, West Bend, WI, Francis (Lorie Roske) Stodola, Superior, WI; one daughter, Mary Stodola (Joseph) Rapacz, Iron River, WI; eleven grandchildren, Monica (John) Spencer, Sara, Jack Stodola, Andrew (Leena) Rapacz, Peter and Philip Stodola, Katherine Rapacz, Nicole, Robert, Cassidy and Natalie Stodola; four great-grandchildren, Alexis and Connor Candler and Lydia and Layla Rapacz; one sister, Eileen Suber, Port Huron, MI; one sister-in-law, Jean Hennessy, Superior, WI; her cousins Mary Gray and John, Mike, Fred and Patty Hennessy as well as her nieces and nephews, Denise Tomion, Carol, Corey Joe and Paul Hennessy and Colleen Anderson. She was also blessed with the company, love and support of a large extended family that includes many friends and neighbors.

In addition to her husband John, Mary is preceded in death by her parents and brothers Denis and Maurice “Corey” Hennessy.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 12, 2017 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and will continue until the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. Blake Rozier as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery. Pallbearers for the service will be Mary’s grandchildren.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made in Mary’s name to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Cathedral School or St. Luke’s Hospice Unit.

The family is particularly grateful for the compassionate care provided over the last ten years by Dr. Gene Karwoski and the caregivers of Keystone Bluffs, Diamond Willow and St. Luke’s Hospice.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.