Obituary: Mary Lou Greve

Mary Lou Greve, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 surrounded by her family at Theda Regional Medical Center (AMC) in Appleton a few days after a heart attack.

Throughout her life, she had been blessed to be a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Her proud parents, the late Othmar “Butch” and Caroline (Boll) Hartmann welcomed their third child, Mary Lou into their family on June 11, 1934 at a farmhouse just outside of New Holstein. By the time she reached school age, the family had moved to Brillion, and she graduated in 1952 from Brillion High School where she enjoyed cheerleading and many social activities. One of her passions after high school was bowling, and she often had a high score mentioned in the newspaper.

Her big brother David set her up on a blind date with Howard “Howie” Greve. They fell in love and were married on June 24, 1967. The couple moved to Brillion where they raised their children. She worked many years at Calumet County Bank. In the Summers, they would load up the five children, fishing rods and all, and head to their cottage up north in Three Lakes. Howie taught her to put a worm on a hook and not chase it on the pier until she caught it. After the nest was empty, they moved to Appleton but would Winter in California or Arizona. Before her husband Howard passed away on May 19, 2018, they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Mary Lou was an amazing cook and baker, known for her Crazy Cake and poppyseed torte. Holidays were always so much fun, for she made sure everything was perfectly decorated, with a huge food spread, and lots of love. From sewing clothes, canning, and playing games, she made sure her family didn’t want for anything. Mary Lou enjoyed playing bingo and slots at the casino, where she would normally win while the rest of us lost. She was remarkably lucky and enjoyed Sunday games of 31 and 500 rummy. Throughout the years, she was a faithful Days of Our Lives viewer, and later on in life, she enjoyed reading and puzzles.

She left behind five children: Joy Farnsworth of Hilbert, Jay of Menasha, James “Skip” (Jill) of Brillion, Julie (Jim) Pickart of Oshkosh, and Jodie of Appleton; ten grandchildren: Laura (fiance’ Justin) Kempen, Abigail (Cody) Ledvina, Sydney, Sophie (Elijah) Walti, Cody, Collin, Nicole (Sean) Suess, and Mindy, Dane, and Sierra Pickart; twelve great-grandchildren; one sister: Donna Mae Klarner of Kimberly; one brother: Dennis Hartmann of Hemet, California; sister-in-law: Marge Hartmann; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Loved ones who have gone before her include her parents, her husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law: Alvin and Leona (Radloff) Greve, brother: David and his first wife, sister-in-law: Barbara Hartmann; sister and brothers-in-law: Betsy (Glenn) Brandt and Cyril Klarner; and a niece: Brenda Brandt.

Funeral Mass will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 24 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brillion. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Tom Pomeroy. Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Brillion.

Friends may call at the church on Thursday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. until the time of Mass.

Online condolences may be made www.pielhopwieting.com

The family would like to thank the staff of Theda Care (AMC) ICU for taking care of our Mother. A special thanks to Christine who was supportive, professional, and so very kind to us all.