Mary J. McCarthy

Fond Du Lac, WI — Mary Janice McCarthy, 86, of Fond du Lac, WI, beloved wife, mother and grandmother died very peacefully on the morning of Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  

Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer 

A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 at the church in Spencer. Fr. Bernard Starman will officiate.

Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery  in Spencer.  

Memorials may be made to the Holy Family Warming Shelter in Fond du Lac, WI, or St. Mary's Catholic School in O'Neill in Mary's name.  

Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer is assisting with the arrangements.  

Mary was born in O'Neill on Oct. 7, 1937, to Arthur and Mildred (Langan) Remter. She attended a one room country schoolhouse in her early grade school years, traveling to and from home by horse every day. Mary then boarded and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in O'Neill in 1955.  

After graduation, Mary began a 10-year career with Bell Telephone Companies in O'Neill, Omaha and Cleveland, Ohio. While working in Omaha, Mary proudly served as the president of the union.

Mary married Patrick McCarthy on Aug. 27, 1966, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer. They were happily married for 57 years. To this union were born three daughters.

Mary dedicated her life to raising her family. She took special care to instill the importance of faith and education in her children and grandchildren. 

She was a longtime parishioner of Holy Family Parish and served on the St. Mary's Springs school board during her daughters' time there.

Although Mary and Pat made Wisconsin their home, she took great pride in their Nebraska roots. She especially loved her family's farm and thanks to care of the Michaelis Family carried on the legacy of her beloved uncles Dave and John Langan

Mary is survived by her loving husband Patrick of Fond du Lac, WI; three daughters Michele (Morris) Esses of Streamwood, IL, Renee (Terry) Dederich of Heyworth, IL and Stephanie (Jacob) Wondercheck of Malone, WI; five grandchildren Joseph Esses (fiancé Mackenzie Morgan), Matthew Esses, Lillian Dederich, Bryce Wondercheck and Gabriel Wondercheck; her dear friends Jean Reiner; the Michaelis family; her goddaughter Jolene Langan; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Carol, Pat's brothers and sisters and many dear aunts, uncles and friends. 

Mary's family would like to extend special thanks for the loving and compassionate care provided by the Woodlands Assisted Living and the Hospice Home of Hope.