Mary Ann Pauline (Janzen) Fuerstenberg, 91, of Cashton passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She was born on May 21, 1933 to Raymond and Mary (Brueggen) Janzen.
Her first job was car hopping at the local rootbeer stand. Later she waitressed at Paul’s Café.
On October 18, 1954 she married the love of her life, Leonard Leo Fuerstenberg. They welcomed four daughters, Julie, Judy, Eve, and Nadine. Leonard passed away on May 22, 1967.
She worked for the Sacred Heart School lunch program for 21 years, 15 of those years as head cook. She enjoyed seeing all the kids in the lunch line and could call them all by name. Mary Ann had a strong connection to the Sacred Heart Church, serving as the choir director for over two decades.
After retiring from school, she worked at ORC in Viroqua for two years. She then went to work at the Back Door Café for 15 years, retiring at the age of 80.
She most loved spending time with family and friends. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, baking, and listening to music. There was always a sweet treat for visitors and potholders galore at Christmas!
Mary Ann is survived by her four daughters; Julie (Roger) Kuderer, Judy Fuerstenberg (Richard Prather), Eve Bean, all of Sparta, and Nadine (Michael) Carpenter of Cashton, grandchildren; Christina (Scott) Benish, Michael (Jamie) Kuderer, Karen (John) Stilen, Chastity (Dustin) Evenstad, Gabriel (Beth) Leis, Branden and Matthew Bean, Alyssa and Jarret Carpenter, great-grandchildren; Joseph, Noah, Mackensy, and Parker Benish, Colton, Aubreigh, Finley, and Wyatt Kuderer, Devan (Sadie) Mashak, Dawson Mashak, Madaline, Addison, Hadyn, and Gage Leis, Quinn, Kaydence, and Peyton Bean, great-great-grandchildren; Paisley, Delannie, and Raelynn Mashak, one brother, Norman (Donna) Janzen, two sisters; Elaine (Darrel) Pederson, Norma (Albert) Spaeth, in-laws; Dorothy Janzen, Janice (Ted) Roels, and many nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, her parents Raymond and Mary Janzen, three brothers, Arnold, Eugene, and Donald Janzen, in-laws, Henry and Lola Fuerstenberg, Robert and Jeanne Fuerstenberg, Florence Janzen, Elizabeth and Dennis Novinski, and father and mother-in-law, Leo and Anna Fuerstenberg.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on St. Mary’s Ridge. Father Eric Berns will officiate. Burial will follow at the Pine Hollow Cemetery, Cashton. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with rosary starting at 12:30 p.m. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at
www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
