Mary Elizabeth (Koehler) Heitman, age 82, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, while on vacation in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She was born on January 23, 1943, to Henry F. Koehler and Marion E. Koehler (Nee Dusick) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mary married her best friend and forever love, Dennis Heitman on July 20, 1963, at Holy Apostles Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Mary graduated from West Milwaukee High School in 1960 then attended Alverno College, graduating in 1964 with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Elementary Education Administration in 1976.

Mary held a 30-year career with the Milwaukee Public Schools, as a teacher and advancing to school principal, retiring in 2000 from U.S. Grant Elementary School. She was a pioneer and staunch advocate for a safe, high quality, and state of the art education for elementary students. Mary served as a role model in the field of education and inspired others.

After retiring and relocating to Florida, Mary enjoyed traveling, especially in the recreation vehicle, visiting with family and friends, baking, and boating on the intercoastal.

Mary was an active member to the Coloosa Winnies, Corvettes on the Gulf, Alverno Alumni Association, Milwaukee Boat Club and South Shore Yacht Club,

Mary is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Dennis; children, Denise (Joseph) Reimer, and Allen (Christine); grandchildren, Lisa (Tim) Kesterson, Kyle Kornetzke, Emily (Derek) Starke, Abby Kornetzke, Kelby, Trent, and Trey; great grandchildren, Weston Kesterson, Jordan Kesterson, Madeline Starke, and Milo Starke; siblings, Christine Jedrzejewski, Claire (Allen) Matheus, Rose (Ken) Stempski, Jerome (Patti) Koehler, and Bernadette (Dale) Kannegiesser; and many loving sisters in-law, brothers in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Mark Koehler.

Family would like to thank the dedicated and caring medical team at Bowling Green Medical Center in Kentucky.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at 5:30 P.M., on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Road, Deforest, WI. Visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M until the time of service at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lee Health Foundation at https://leehealthfoundation.org/donate/, designated to the Galisano Children’s Hospital of SWFL in memory of Mary E. Heitman.

To view the obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road

608-846-4250

Mary Heitman

January 23, 1943 - July 22, 2025

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