Mary Brienen

July 5, 1931
-
July 12, 2019

Mary Lou Brienen, 88, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2019. She was born in Green Bay on July 5, 1931, to the late Herbert and Eleanor (Heim) Krause. Mary attended St. Joseph Academy in Green Bay. On December 28, 1950, she married Richard Brienen at St Philip The Apostle Church; he preceded her in death on February 19, 2005, after 54 years of marriage. Mary spent many years working for Prange’s and making draperies for Sunspots in Green Bay. She took pride in her ability as a seamstress, making many different things for her family and friends, from quilts to wedding dresses. Mary enjoyed spending summers with her family at the cottage on the Bay in Door County and wintering in Gulf Shores, Ala,

Survivors include her six children, Mark R. (Marilyn) Brienen, Green Bay and two children, Jennifer (Scott) Womak and Andrew (Courtney) Brienen; Randy L. (Joyce) Brienen, Green Bay, and five children, Kelly (Will) Weerts, Kevin (Amy) Brienen), and Abbie, Brooke, and Catie Brienen; Laure Ropson, Green Bay, and three children, Tony (Kelly) Ropson, Matthew (Sonya) Ropson, and Andrew (Mary Patt) Ropson; Terry (Cathy) Brienen, New Franken, and three children, Tracy Couillard, Kayla (John) Kerkhoff, and Devin Brienen; Lisa (Keith) Lemens, Casco, and two children, Jacob and Jared Lemens; and Paul (Bonnie) Brienen, Denmark, and two children, Ashley (Jason) Zeitler and Brandon (fiancé Emilie Burkhardt) Brienen; 23 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bill (Becky) Krause; and one sister, Ruth (Pete) Johnson; two sisters-in-law, Patricia (Ray) Prevost and Mary Thomas. Along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Eleanor; her husband Richard; brothers, Richard (Margie) Krause, Jim Krause, and Bob Krause; and brother-in-law, Robert Thomas.

Friends may gather at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2040 Hillside Dr, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, from 9:30 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Mark Vander Steeg will preside. Entombment will be in Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.prokowall.com.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the entire staff at Bishop’s Court, Unity Hospice, and Lakeland Care, for all the care and compassion they showed to Mary and her family.