Mary "Mimi" Jelinek Gutzwiller

Bay View - Mary passed away peacefully at home on Christmas morning surrounded by her loving children. She was 91 years old.

Mary is survived by her children, Elizabeth Bedigian, Tom (Diane) Gutzwiller, Ann (John) Strassman, Laura (Paul) Dondero, Chris (Rick) Rosenberg and Heidi (Chris) Minikel. She will be missed by her sister, Carol (Lou) Orzolek and brother, Bill (Jean) Jelinek. She was blessed with 11 loving grandchildren: Karli Larsen, Paul Bedigian, Katherine and Elizabeth Strassman, Margaret Strassman Patari, John and Tim Dondero, Mark and Alec Rosenberg, Liesel and Max Gutzwiller and seven great-grandchildren. Her memory will be cherished by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was welcomed to heaven by her adoring husband, Bill Gutzwiller and their son, Mark Gutzwiller. She was predeceased by her two sisters, Joan (John) Niland and Judy (Michael) Ciszewski.

Throughout her childhood and adult life, Mary felt deeply blessed with an especially strong body. She was a champion swimmer in high school, earning an athletic scholarship to La Crosse State Teachers College and she continued to swim year-round into her 90th year.

Mary was a sailing enthusiast from her earliest years at South Shore Yacht Club where she became a world class sailor under the tutelage of John Christianson, racing and crewing with him on a National One Design and winning two World Championships. In fact, Mary met her life-long love, Bill Gutzwiller, while sailing at SSYC and they were married in 1953. Bill's General Electric engineering career took Mary and their growing family to homes in central New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Connecticut. On her husband's retirement in 1987, Mary and Bill spent many glorious years traveling extensively throughout Europe, often visiting relatives and friends. There is no doubt, however, that Mary would say the highlight of their golden years was their time living on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, entertaining in their lovely Cowpet Bay home and exploring the Caribbean with numerous family and friends on their sailboat, Hallelujah. Mary and Bill also enjoyed sharing their beautiful Naples, Florida home with many people for 22 years.

Mary's deep faith was at the core of everything she did and it helped her excel as the mother to seven children, taking care of everyone's needs seamlessly and meeting every challenge head-on with efficiency and grace. Her children were the primary focus of her life and she considered them her life's greatest work. She was a talented seamstress and a consummate hostess, showering numerous guests with her gourmet cooking and warm hospitality. Family and friends will remember Mary for her remarkable moral, physical and spiritual strength, and her exceptionally thoughtful and generous nature.

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Johnette Ward and to the staff of Badger Hospice, most especially, Dunia. Their devoted, thoughtful care in providing for Mary's comfort and well-being will never be forgotten.

Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 am on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1023 E. Russell Avenue, Milwaukee followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Private Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to South Shore Yacht Club Junior Foundation or Immaculate Conception Parish in Mary's honor.