Mary Eloyce (DeMars) Gass
Mary (DeMars) Gass, 89, passed away peacefully at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. She lived her final days the same way she lived every day of her life, with appreciation, deep faith, unconditional love, bountiful affection and a constant, warm cheerfulness.
Mary Eloyce DeMars was born to Chester and Freda De-Mars, May 14,1932.
While attending high school in Cornell, Mary was involved in the school newspaper, Glee Club, FHA, Pep Club and GAA’s Tumbling Team.
When Mary was a mere 16 years old, she met the love of her life, Russell “Rusty” Gass, June 3,1948, at a roller rink, when Russell asked her to join him for a “couple’s skate.”
She married Russell Sept. 15, 1951, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cornell. They were married for 56 wonderful years, until Russell’s death on Mary’s birthday, May 14, 2008.
The newlyweds moved to Rockford, Ill., where Mary began her first job of a long, successful career as a telephone switchboard operator for Wisconsin Bell. When they moved to Wausau, in 1963, Mary worked for GTE, as a telephone operator and later, as a dispatcher, until her retirement in 1992.
Mary was an excellent role model for her children, ambitious and conscientiously “doing it all,” working evenings when her children were young, so that a parent was always home, preparing delicious meals and packing the camper for weekend get-aways.
She loved holding babies, dancing, admiring the beauty of nature, visiting relatives, and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities.
Mary had a talent for art and drawing, especially sketching people.
In their later years, she and Rusty enjoyed several wonderful trips; she liked riding the bus to the casino to meet up with friends for dinner, and watching the Packers, and “her’’ nightly TV programs. She was always content.
She will be deeply missed by her five loving children and their families – Sharon (John) Philipp, Apache Junction, Ariz.; Raina (Robert) Pfundheller, Altoona, Daryl (Suzi) Gass, Hawkins, Tim Gass (Donna Helsing), Winter, and Sheila (Trent) Westcott, Rothschild; 18 adoring grandchildren; 10 beloved great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, who claim Aunt Mary always made them feel special.
Family and friends enjoyed Mary’s fun sense of humor, and ready laugh, amazing cooking, warm hugs and compliments, and her easy-going personality that always welcomed extra friends and surprise visitors, and revelled in the noise and chaos of large gatherings.
Throughout her life, Mary was especially close to her parents and four siblings (who preceded her in death), and their families.
Most holidays meant large gatherings with her brothers – A. Richard (Clare) DeMars, Chippewa Falls, and Roger (Joan) DeMars, Eau Claire; and her sisters – Patricia (Melvin) Gass, Bloomer; and Sharon (Robert) Crane, Rockford, Ill.
She is survived by her sisters-in-law – Joan and Clare; she also cherished Russell’s mother – Gertrude Gass, Cornell; and his four brothers and their wives (who all preceded her in death) – Lloyd (Doris), Raymond (Jean), Urban (Marge) and Melvin (Patricia) Gass.
She was also preceded in death by son-in-law – Lawrence Post; and daughters-in-law – Dawn (Dorshorst) Gass and Tami (Marceille Bednorski) Gass.
Mary’s family would like to thank the caring medical workers who showed kindness and compassion.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wausau. Friends may visit an hour before the service, from 10-11 a.m.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21, at Peterson/ Kraemer Funeral Home in Wausau. Online condolences may be expressed at petersonkraemer. com.
