Mary A. Shird

Mary A. Shird, age 73, of La Farge, WI, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023, in Gresham, Oregon. She was born on April 3, 1949, in Viroqua, WI to LaVerne (Gabe) and Corella (Kelly) Gabrielson.

Mary was raised in Viroqua, attended White Pigeon Grade School in Bud, WI, and was confirmed at Bad Axe Lutheran Church. Mary participated in 4-H, spent a lot of time doing work on the farm, and also sang with her sisters for local events. This included singing in a commercial for Farm Progress Days. The kids in the family requested to hear Mary and her sisters sing this song at every campfire sing-along. Mary graduated from Viroqua High School with the Class of 1967.

Mary was married to Freddie Shird and they later divorced. Afterwards, she maintained a lifelong connection with Fred’s mother, Bonnie McAllister, as well as the Shird and Daines families.

After raising her children, Mary went back to school and earned an associate degree in Marketing from Western Wisconsin Technical College. She and her son, Cory, walked across the stage together during the graduation ceremony.

Mary lived most of her adult life in La Farge, and through the years she worked at the Band Box Café, Zzip Stop, and Rockton Bar. After earning her degree, Mary worked at Organic Valley in LaFarge for over 20 years, and was proud of the processes she created to establish remote warehouses for their freight department. More than anything, Mary loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also hosted many gatherings around her dining room table and outdoor patio for family and friends through the years. Mary started and organized a family “Fall Fest” for many years. She was an avid gardener and was admired for her many flower gardens. Mary made floral arrangements to decorate the cemetery markers of family and friends each year for Memorial Day. She adopted La Farge as her hometown, and was involved in several community activities. These included Girl Scouts, 4-H, softball teams, La Farge school booster clubs, coordinating children’s pictures for the local newspaper, helping with Lion’s Club 4th of July sponsors, United Methodist Church Task Force and youth groups, and hosting international interns at her home. In recent years, Mary started a farmer’s market in LaFarge and enjoyed serving coffee and visiting with the shoppers on Saturday mornings.

Mary is survived by her son, Cory (Carrie) and her daughter, Kari Jo (Doug) Arch; grandchildren: Morgan, Macy, and Nolan Arch and Scout Northway; siblings: Carol (Andy) Christopherson, Sharon (Darrel) Heath, Ron Gabrielson, Lorna (Eli) Whitney, Lois (Monte) Berger, and Randy (Debbie) Gabrielson; aunt, Glenice Halfman; and many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, along with treasured aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mary’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jim Deline, Mona Bader, Dan Drier, and the staff at the La Farge Medical Clinic. She received excellent care at Vernon Memorial, Gundersen Health System, and Legacy Mt Hood Hospital. It truly “takes a village”, so Cory and Kari Jo would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the family, friends, and community members who helped with Mary’s care.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at the La Farge United Methodist Church. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, at Vosseteig Funeral Home in La Farge. Additional visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Mary will be laid to rest with a private burial at a later date.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in La Farge is serving Mary's family.

203 N. State Street

La Farge, WI 54639

(608) 625-4244