Mary L. Corning

Mary Lynn Corning, 75 of Pardeeville, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at home. She was born in St. Paul, MN September 9, 1947, to Frank and Theresa Wilkus. Her family moved to Rochester when she was 8 years old.

Mary graduated from Lourdes High School in 1965 and went on to become a licensed nurse and graduated from nursing school in 1972. She specialized in birthing babies and kidney dialysis as a nurse. Mary Lynn moved to the city of Fitchburg, WI in the fall of 1972 and went to work for the University of Wisconsin Hospital on a federal grant for medical research. Madison General Hospital hired her from the University after her grant expired and put her to work as a medical coder for 30 years.

During her time spent working at UW Hospital, she met Bob in the fall of 1972 who worked in maintenance at Ridgewood Trace Apartments. They were engaged and married on September 28, 1974. After 30 years plus of working for Madison General/Meriter Hospital, she retired and went to work for the Columbia Healthcare Center in Wyocena unit she retired a second time. Mary Lynn was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer 4 1/2 years before her death on January 11th. 

She always had a smile on her face. She loved so many things; gardening, crocheting, baking exploring, artwork, music, hunting and fishing, and shooting sports. She was a member of the Portage Rod & Gun Club and was state state-licensed co-kitchen manager with her son Michael during the gun show hosted by her husband Robert. She also was an avid AVON lady with many customers and friends for many years. 

Survivors include her husband Robert; son Michael (fiance Jessica); granddaughter Rosalie Lynn; brother Jim (Susan) Wilkus of Underwood MN; sisters, Louann (Darwin) Fieck of Millville, MN, Annette (Scott) Wilkus Duenow of Maplewood, NJ, and Mary Ellen Schaefer; nephews Andy Wilkus and Joe (Megan) Fieck; Robert’s relatives: brother-in-law Bruce (Kristie) Corning, Pauline Garvinb, Brandon (Kendra) Corning and their children and a step-niece, step-nephew, great niece and great nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Paul and Mark Wilkus; brother-in-law Chester (Betty) Corning; and two sisters Jane and Sandra. 

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 1 PM at the Corning Farm.

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