Mary Therese Blodgett

Mary Therese (Tennessen) Blodgett

After a long life and a short battle with cancer, Mary was called home to heaven on Thursday, March 20, 2025. More than anything else in her life she was a born-again Christian, giving her life to Jesus in 1976. For over 20 years Mary was an active member of Hope Church in Appleton. She was a kind, sweet, loving and just an all-around wonderful lady. She touched many lives and will be missed by everyone that has ever met her.

Mary was born and raised in Appleton, WI and lived here the majority of her life. She graduated High School from St. Mary’s Menasha in 1956 and married Bob Blodgett in 1958. They were married for 15 years and had 5 children. In her earlier years she spent many years working at different local banks in the clearing department. Most recently though she worked at Guardian Insurance in Appleton. She was employed there for 17 years before retiring.

She loved to read her Bible, listen to music and watch television. But many a day you could find her playing cribbage or cards with friends or neighbors. She always looked forward to fall so she could go on what she called ‘color rides’ and enjoy the brilliance of the leaves changing color each year. Even while talking on the phone, for a short time or even maybe hours, she was a great conversationalist, talking with family members or friends. She was always available for anyone whenever they needed it. She was patient, kind and loving. Her compassion for others was overwhelming.

Mary had many friends. She spent time visiting either at church, joining a person or group for a meal, or sometimes just on the phone. She was kind and considerate. Mom was such a great listener and would listen with a loving ear, never being critical but always seasoning her conversation with salt, knowing that the words she spoke could impact people for the better. Mary was always on the mission for bringing people to Jesus, so in her wisdom she was always setting an example of this through her interactions and communications with others.

Mary is preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary Josephine (Brochtrup) Tennessen - 1975 and Elmer Tennessen - 2003 as well as her grandson Larry Lauerman - 1991.

She is survived by her 5 children Sue (Rick) Lauerman, Laurie Blodgett, Jean (Jeff) Rusch, Sandy (Todd) Stohl, and Rob (Beckie) Blodgett. 6 grandchildren, Dan (Faith) Lauerman, Jon (Abby) Lauerman, Luke Lauerman, Mike (Nicole) Rusch, Casey (Liz) Rusch, and Christina Stohl. And 8 great-grandchildren – Jasmine, Alanna, Eli, Juliet, Amos, Tucker, Cooper and Carter.

Her greatest living and dying wish of all is that all of her children and grandchildren would come to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior.

Praise God she is no longer in pain or suffering as she is now signing His praises in heaven.

A funeral service will be held for Mary at 4 PM on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St, Appleton, WI 54911, directly following a visitation from 2-4 PM. Mary will be laid to rest with her family at St. Francis Cemetery in Hollandtown at a later date.

Her family would like to thank her wonderful and caring hospice team from ThedaCare at Home hospice– with a special call out to Tess and Carolyn, her nurse and CNA from hospice, respectively, as well as the staff at Cherry Meadows and Gardens of Fountain Way Assisted Living for being there for her through all things while helping to manage her end-of-life circumstances. What wonderful groups of people just being there for her and assisting her with whatever she needed as her time here on earth was ending.