Mary Louise (Wilmet) Stencil-Knoll

Mary Louise (Wilmet) Stencil – Knoll, age 74 of Denmark passed away on January 10, 2022, following a short illness with her family at her side. She was born July 13, 1947, in West DePere, the sixth of seven children to Alvin and Magdalen (VandenHeuvel) Wilmet.

Mary’s greatest pride was being “Mother Mary.” She was grateful that she was able to stay home with her children when they were small. She married Daniel Stencil on April 20, 1968. They were married 22 years before he passed away in 1990. In 1994, she married David Knoll and they shared 23 years together before his passing in 2018.

Surviving Mary are her children: Kevin (Jennifer) Stencil, Kim Stencil, Amy (Buddy) Kroll, Ken (Monica) Stencil, Lora Aberle and Mark (Cheryl) Hoolihan. Her son-in-law, Dave Bricker; step daughter-in-law, Sally Knoll. Grandchildren: Austin, Hayden, Brady, Ellie, Jaymes, Jonah, Melissa (Jason), Emily, Rudy, Tristan, Dustin, Jackson, Lisa, Bryan, Sara (Travis), Kaitlyn, Brad, Ben, Reece, Jordan. Greatgrandchildren: Evan, Alaina, Brayden, Serenity, Wyatt, Kalo. She is further survived by a brother, John (Marlene) Wilmet and a sister-in-law, Bonita Wilmet.

In addition to her parents and both of her husbands, she was proceeded in death by her daughter, Lisa Bricker; son-in-law, John Aberle; stepson, Travis Knoll; step great grandson, Daven Knoll. She was also proceeded in death by her siblings, Cathy (Robert) Besaw, Joan (William) Kreuser, Robert, Richard and Shirley Wilmet. Her godchild, Laurie Wilmet; and many other special family members.

Mary excelled as a reporter and photographer for over 15 years at Brown County Publishing and The Denmark News. The next 15 years found her at Fleet Farm where she enjoyed working with clients as a design consultant and a front-end coordinator. The highlight of her career came after retirement, when she became the coordinator of the Denmark Senior Center. She met many wonderful and interesting people and enjoyed cooking, baking, playing cards and bingo with them. After her second retirement, she volunteered at the center and served on the board of directors. Mary also volunteered at the Denmark Food Pantry, coordinated Denmark’s Giving Tree at Christmas and volunteered at Ruby’s Pantry. She was a member of the Denmark American Legion Auxiliary Unit 363 for over 25 years, serving in all leadership positions. She also served as president/treasurer of the Brown County Council of the American Legion Auxiliary. Mary was a lifetime member of the Denmark FFA. She was also member of the Denmark Evening Optimists and served in all positions.

Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home – Denmark, 536 County Road R, on Friday, January 14, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm. A service will be held at 7:00pm with Pastor Andy Zoerb officiating.

A special note from Mary: Remember I am with you every day. Thank you to everyone who helped me make this last journey. There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb – you can do it, one day at a time. You know you have lived if at the end of each day, you are able to say ‘my life was not in vain, I made someone smile today.’ I will always love you – to the moon and back. Special thank you to Pastor Andy Zoerb and friends from Denmark Food Pantry, my American Legion and Auxiliary family, the Denmark Senior Center, Unity Hospice and most of all, my daughter Kim and the rest of my family. Take good care of our fur babies, Casper & Wendy.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the Denmark Food Pantry c/o Pastor Andy Zoerb at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Help them bring a smile to someone less fortunate. God Bless.