Mary Jean Kretche

Mary Jean Kretche, age 90 years, of rural Hillsboro, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022 at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro.

She was born on December 23, 1932 to James F. and Christena (Novy) Wopat in Hillsboro.  Mary Jean attended the White City School and graduated from the Hillsboro High School in 1950.

Mary Jean was united in marriage to Robert J. Kretche on June 27, 1951 at St. John’s Catholic Church at Dilly.  They farmed in the area until 1966 when they moved to Madison, where they lived for 24 years.  She worked as a sales clerk for different stores and then for 15 years at WPS Insurance.

In 1988 they retired and built a new home back in Union Township.  She was an election clerk for years, helped cook, served and sang in the choir at St. John’s Catholic Church.  She was a member of the Altar Society at St. John’s and St. Aloysius Catholic Churches, the Hillsboro Area Historical Society and Friends of the Hillsboro Public Library.

They were married for 71 years and she was a very good wife.  She enjoyed cooking and dancing.  They traveled in most of the United States and she was very helpful with her husband and their genealogy work.

Survivors include her husband, Robert J. Kretche; children, Robert F. Kretche, Don Kretche and Kathy (Steve) Lindsey; grandchildren, Jason (Crystal) Kretche, Adam Lindsey, Matthew (Alyssa) Lindsey and Jamie (Mark) Mueller; great grandchildren, Abigail Lindsey, Mavin Kretche and Brooke Kretche and brother, James Wopat.  She was preceded in death by her Parents and daughter-in-law, Grace Kretche.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro, with Father Don Bauer officiating.  Burial will be in the Wopat Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the Church on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.

The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting with arrangements.

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