Mary Antoinette Vandersteen

Mary Antoinette was born into eternal life on June 14, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 9, 1930, in Green Bay to the late Walter & Irene (Jahn) Bradtke. She graduated as valedictorian from Green Bay East High School in 1948. Mary then spent two years at St. Norbert College where she majored in Music Education and was one of St. Norbert's first female students. Her marriage to her loving husband, Don, took place on May 26, 1951.

Her life was sustained by her devotion to her wonderful husband Don, raising their eight children and her lifelong passion - teaching piano, for 72 years. She spent many years playing the organ for masses at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, St. John's and St. Willebrord's Churches. She was one of the founding members of the Northeast Wisconsin Piano Teachers Forum and was honored with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. She was one of the instigators of their Baroque Festival, Classical Festival, Monster Concerts as well as the Playathons in the Mall.

Her love of music provided her with the joy of sharing this passion with her students and their families. Those relationships she cherished beyond measure. She loved the hours she spent volunteering for Learning in Retirement classes at UWGB where she taught beginner and remedial piano classes to adults. She and Don loved traveling around the US in their later years with many of their trips coinciding with Piano Master Classes and week-long seminars pertaining to Piano Pedagogy. Mary treasured all the lovely friends she met through her teaching of the piano. As she begins her journey in her next life, she will surely be looking for opportunities to help make music.

She was always so proud of her children and their accomplishments and was so grateful to live long enough to know and treasure her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include her eight children: Michael (Julie), Paul (Barbara), James, Mary T. White, John, David (Lisa Martin), Judith (Michael) Ledvina and Joseph (Kay). Her grandchildren include: Rob, Katie, Iris, Lucas, Julia, Tanya, Molly, Jason, Randy, Ray, Elyse, Nick, Erin, Allison, Augusto, Grace, Andrew, Claire and Nathan. Her great-grandchildren include: Leah & Ruby Vandersteen, Camari & Lucari Forslund, Kinley, Caden & Kyler Wilhelm, Caroline McMahan and Lily Ledvina. She is also survived by two sisters, Barbara (Lee) Vandersteen of Green Bay and Virginia (James) Romanski of Wausau, WI, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and her husband's parents, Alfred & Louise (Baeten) Vandersteen.

Friends and family may call at Newcomer-Green Bay Chapel (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay), Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 4 to 7 PM. A prayer service will conclude the visitation at 7 PM with Dcn. Greg Rotherham officiating. Visitation will continue at Resurrection Parish (333 Hilltop Dr., Green Bay), Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 9 to 11 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 AM with Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem, celebrant and Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem, con-celebrant. Burial will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials directed to Mary's family in her name will be used to establish memorial funds at a later date.

Mary's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many piano students that Mary had the privilege of sharing her talent and passion with over the years. They would also like to thank the staff at St. Vincent Hospital and Unity Hospice for their excellence in care and support.

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