Mary entered eternal peace in her Savior's arms on January 30,2026 after a two- year courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born July 23, 1942, in Janesville, Wisconsin to the late George Howden and Miriam Irene Mansur Howden.  The family moved to the Appleton area when Mary was 8 years of age.  She attended St. Therese Elementary School in Appleton and Appleton High School, graduating  in 1961.  Mary began her medical career by initially becoming an LPN and went on to become an RN at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Janesville.  She did not stop there but went on to obtain a BSN  at Alverno College in Milwaukee.  Mary took pride in her nursing career, with 34 1/2 years spent at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah, now Theda Care, Neenah.  Mary retired from Theda Clark in 2002.  She then became the parish nurse of her church, Trinity Lutheran in Menasha.

Mary was a member of numerous lineage organizations including the Mayflower Society, New England Women, Daughters of Founders and Patriots, Colonial Dames of the XVII Century and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  Mary was elected to serve DAR as the Appleton Regent four times and Wisconsin's State Regent from 1995 to 1997.  She was recognized as a DAR Honorary State Regent and remained an active member serving both her chapter's DAR Good Citizen's committee and the state Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters (FWSQ) advisory committee until her passing.

Mary is survived by one brother, Michael Howden, of Milwaukee, sisters in law, Marilyn Howden of San Jose, California and Margaret Howden of New Glarus, WI. nine nieces and nephews, Terese (Tony) Wright, Wauwatosa, WI, David (Linda) Howden, Los Angeles, California, Eric(Gina) Howden, Dousman, WI, Sarah Howden (Francisco), Holly Springs, North Carolina, Kathleen (Casey) Lawrence of Vashon Island, Washington, Christopher (Edie) Howden , Santa Clara, CA, Charles (Stacy) Howden, Onalaska, WI. Annie (Jared) Chowaniec, Blanchardville, WI, Maxim Howden, New Glarus, WI, eleven great nieces and nephews, cousins, her Trinity Family, the Eugene Krull  and the Ron Kraus Families,  and a host of friends.  Along with her parents, Mary was also preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and Charles Howden. Mary loved people and devoted her life to serving her Lord by serving others and enriching their lives with love and humor.

The funeral will be at Trinity Lutheran Church,  300 Broad Street, Menasha on Saturday, 2/21 at 11 am with the Reverand Steven Billings officiating.  Visitation will begin at the church at 9 am.  Memorials may be given  to Trinity Lutheran Church & School. Menasha  or to the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters (FWSQ) in Portage, WI.

Mary was so very grateful for the visits from Pastor Billings, Pastor GeRue and Pastor Kinne and numerous parishioners of Trinity Lutheran Church, Menasha, plus family and friends.  We express our heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Appleton Retirement Community, where she was a resident from 2020 to her passing, and Moments Hospice for their love and support during her last few days of life.