Mary Ann E. Liddicoat

PORTAGE – Mary Ann E. Liddicoat , age 90, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2019, in the comfort of her own home, taking pleasure in the activities of daily life, and in the company of her husband, Roy. She felt extremely blessed to be able to continue to live a healthy life right up until the end. She treasured the simple joys of life: family, dear friends and every acquaintance she had the honor of meeting. Socializing at the diner nearly daily, over the years, whether in Madison, Mercer, Hurley/Ironwood, or Portage was something she treasured — delighting in a meal with friends at a local diner the day before she passed away. 

Mary Ann was born and raised in Madison, the daughter of Raymond and Anna (Kurth) Schultz. She graduated from East High School and married Vernon (Jim) Johnson in 1948. Together they raised five children in Poynette. There Mary worked at various daycares and was a teaching assistant in the Poynette school system. Several years after Jim’s death, Mary met Roy and they were married in 1985. Mary volunteered regularly at LaFollette High School in Madison, assisting Roy in his art room. She truly treasured children.

After Roy’s retirement, they moved north to the Mercer area. Together they built a home deep in the woods. There they ran a chainsaw carving business, and lived for 25 years. Mary had a great appreciation for nature and all of its creatures; she truly enjoyed her time in the out-of-doors. In her advancing years it was necessary to make a final move to Portage, closer to family. Here the two of them found another wonderful place to live, filled with good people and surrounded by the natural world she cherished.

She is survived by her husband Roy; her children, Christa (Jim) Mraz, Julie (Dave) Guitzkow, Jon (Laura) Johnson, Paul (Shelly) Johnson; step daughters, Amy (Russ) Hermus, Susan Liddicoat; 17 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Carl (Mary Ellen) Johnson and her daughter-in-law, Laurie Burdine. Mary Ann is further survived by many other relatives and close friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Vernon (Jim) Johnson and their son, Jim Johnson, and her sisters, Phyllis Blood and Pat (Burns) Bussan.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at Portage United Methodist Church, 1804 New Pinery Road in Portage with Pastor Tom Countryman officiating. Private inurnment will be held at a later date in Dekorra Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 12:00 noon until the time of service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Portage United Methodist Church. 

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.