Maddy Wise

     Maddy Wise, age 82, of Decorah, IA, died on Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, IA.      A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Phillips Gibbs presiding. Burial will be in the Norwegian Methodist Cemetery, rural Decorah, IA.      Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday morning at the church.      In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Pine Bluff 4-H Camp, 610 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101 or to Winneshiek County Hospice, 907 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101.      Mary Madelyn “Maddy” Wise, was born on February 21, 1933, on the family farm north of Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Mary (Hyberger) Willson. Maddy attended Van Vliet Hesper #3 Country School and graduated from Canton High School in 1952. Maddy farmed alongside Leo until she was united in marriage to Wilbur (Hover) Wise on October 27, 1956, at St. Agnes – Plymouth Rock Catholic Church near Burr Oak, IA. Maddy embraced a partnership with Wilbur, life on the farm, and raising a family in a country neighborhood. Together they had 5 children, farming near Locust. Faith, Family, Friends and Farm were her mainstays. Maddy enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She loved sharing the fruits of her labors; with apple pies, cinnamon rolls, rollout cookies, strawberry pies and numerous other baked goods. Throughout her life, Maddy led a grounded Catholic faith. She also enjoyed ceramics, embroidery, attending her children and grandchildren’s activities. Maddy always enjoyed her neighbors in the country as well as in town. She was an active member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, served on the Pine Bluff 4-H Camp Board, Master Gardners, and was a dedicated 4-H and County Fair supporter. Maddy was known to ‘show up’, in good times and bad, to lend a helping hand, a warm meal, or comforting words with her door always open. Her most memorable quality was that she was not afraid to be herself.      Maddy is survived by her four children all from Decorah: Ann (Dan) Mansfield; David (Jean) Wise; Halley Wise; and Dick (Julie) Wise. Ten grandchildren: Taylor and Kate Mansfield, Ethan and Jared Wise, Sam (Jess) Drenth, Joseph and Ruth Ann Sutton, Sawyer, Garrett and Julianna Wise. Two sisters: Martha (Jerry) Samuelson, Decorah, IA, and Marian (Al) Schissel, Rice Lake, WI. Two brothers: Gordon (Dorothy) Willson, Rice Lake, WI, and Dennis (Mary) Willson, Marion, IA. Two brothers-in-law: Claude Bucheit, Decorah, IA, and Daniel (EvaLou) Wise, Palatine, IL, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.      Maddy was preceded in death by her parents: Leo and Mary (Hyberger) Willson. Her husband: Wilbur Wise in 1976. One daughter: Ruthie Wise in 1966. Two sisters: Rita (Bob) Lansing and Gretchen Bucheit. Two sisters-in-law: Kathy (Harmening) Willson and Lillian (Carl) Brandenburg.