Mary Ann Watzka

Mary Ann Watzka, a loving and cherished mother and grandmother, age 93 of Green Bay, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2017, with her family by her side.

She was born on April 10, 1924 at home to the late Anton and Gertrude Gajeski. As a young woman during WW2 she worked for Straubel Paper. She corresponded with many family, friends and neighbors during the war but met Ralph Watzka when he returned from service.
They married on June 29, 1946 at Holy Trinity Church in Pine Grove, Wisconsin. They lived in Green Bay and raised a family of six children.

She enjoyed playing cards with friends, gardening, and in later life, traveling with Ralph. She was an excellent cook, widely known for her rhubarb custard pie, sun pickles and the ability to throw a party together in a flash. A very creative person she enjoyed making stained glass sun catchers, knitting, sewing for her family, crocheting and even tried her hand in painting. She and Ralph were longtime members of St. Matthew Parish.

Mary Ann is survived by her children, Dean (Julie) Watzka, Mark (Gloria) Watzka, Yvonne (Cal) Lied, Christine (James) Bose, Peter Watzka, and Bernadette (Bill) Mattila; granchildren, Paul (Kelly) Watzka, Laura (Jeremy) Meyer, Brenton (Jodi) Watzka, Carissa Watzka, Alysia La Combe, Katie (Derek) Lacey, Amy Herzog, Brantly Bose, Rebecca Watzka, Madeline David, Ben David, Ben Mattila, and Ted Mattila; five great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Benjamin, Audrey, Victoria, and Nolan Watzka; brothers, Robert Gajeski, Clark (Ann) Gajeski, Ken (Annette) Gajeski, And Jerry (Betty) Gajeski; sisters, Ethel Hansford, Rita Greatens; brother-in-law, Cloyde Watzka; sister-in-law, Kathleen (Harvey) Coleman; and many other nieces, nephews, and relatives.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Ralph; her parents; sisters, Arlene, Marcella (Bernie) Thompson, Evelyn (Robert) Dahlke; brother, Tony (Angie) Gajeski, Jack (Elaine) Gajeski, Donald Greatens, Bill Hansford, Margie Gajeski, two brothers-in-law, Alvin and Norbert Watzka; sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Frank) Dobesh, Alice (Herbert) Lax, Frances (Roman) Van Beek, Lillian (Elmer) Otto, and Grace Watzka.

We would like to thank our Unity Hospice team for their compassionate care and the family of Bishop's Court for the understanding, love and care they provided for Mom in her final years.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay. A parish prayer service will conclude the evening at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue on from 9:30 am until 10:30 am Friday, September 22, 2017, at St. Matthew Parish, 130 St. Matthew Street, Green Bay. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am at the church with Rev. Robert Kabat officiating. Burial will be at Allouez Catholic Cemetery.