Madison-

Mary Irene (Kiebel) Sweeney, age 96, passed away on December 31,2017, surrounded by her most precious treasures of her life, her family members. There was nothing more that Mary enjoyed than a simple conversation with a friend or family member. Mary maintained her sharpness and ability to have a conversation on almost any topic, even if it was a foreign subject to her. Her favorite topic however was simply knowing what you were up to in your life (how are the kids, how are the grandchildren?).

Mary was born on August 27, 1921 on a farm in rural Dubuque County, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Teresa (Gansemer) Kiebel. As the oldest child, she cared for her siblings and helped her grandparents and mother with gardening. In summers the family rode to Dubuque in a horse drawn wagon to sell vegetables at the market. Growing up in the 1920's and 1930's before rural electrification was a much different world than today and she and her mother are credited by her siblings with keeping their family together during trying times. Her character was shaped by her upbringing and she became a stoic, hard working, caring and humble adult. These character traits came in handy when she married Herb Sweeney in 1944 and later became the mother of four boys. She and Herb enjoyed 62 years of marriage until his death in 2011. Mary and Herb were devout Catholics and raised their sons in the Church. The family moved to Wisconsin in 1955 and lived near Basco and in Verona where they were parishioners at St. Andrew Catholic Church.

She is survived by her children: Mike (Kathy), Jim (Mary), Tom (Sue) and Tim (Linda) Sweeney; grandchildren Jeff (Eva), Jenna (Josh) Lavik, Kristine (Tim) Warren, Mike (Jennifer), Bob, Matthew, Paul, Chris and Kelsey; great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Daine, Shea, Tyler, Ashton, Brecken, Kaelyn, Madison, Leah and Terin; sister, Margaret Nelson and also many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; her parents and her brothers, Mel, Joe and John Kiebel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2017 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 301 N. Main Street, Verona, with Father John Sasse officiating and Msgr. Gerald Healy concelebrating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Saturday at the church. Burial will follow at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Verona.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, Dean Clinics, All Saints Community, Agrace HospiceCare, spiritual care staff and the many family and friends who gave their love and support.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Mary Sweeney

August 27, 1921 - December 31, 2017

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