Mary A. Orth, age 86, a resident of Manitowoc, peacefully passed away on Sunday morning, September 29, 2024, at the Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers.
Mary was born on March 14, 1938 in Manitowoc. She was the daughter of the late Wilfred O. and Wilma Thornton Freund. Mary grew up in Manitowoc and graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1956. She continued her education at the Manitowoc Teacher College for the next two years graduating in 1958. Mary was employed as an elementary school teacher with the Kiel Area School System for 37 years teaching mostly Kindergarten. She loved the little children. Mary enjoyed reading books, camping, and going on bus trips with the “Have Group Will Travel”. Mary fell in love and married Robert J. Orth on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1977 in Manitowoc.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Bob, four step daughters, Suzanne (Tedd) Doucette, Seffner, FL, Lisa (Bruce) Dickey, Cashers, NC, Lynn (Sal) Maita, Tampa, FL, Melissa (George) Owen, Seffner, FL; son-in-law, Edward (Erin) Diliberto, Odessa, FL; 16 grandchildren, Rachel Doucette, Leah Mayl, Rebecca Botero, Hannah Mills, Hope Stemen, Ben Doucette, Ashley Dickey, Kevin Dickey, Joshua Diliberto, Anthony Diliberto, Jessica Willis, David Owen, Malinda Owen, Sara Owen, Ellie Murphy, Micah Owen; 12 great grandchildren, three brothers-in-law: Gary (Nancy) Orth, Dick (Mary) Orth, Jan (Nancy) Orth, all of Manitowoc; two sisters-in-law, Peggy Thor, Manitowoc and Nancy (Wayne) Doney, St. Francis; nieces, nephews, and special camping friends, Randy and Jeni Orth, Sandy (and her late husband Dennis) Schlies, Pete and Lynn Schmidt, and Rob and Kelly Engblade. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Wilma Freund, one brother, James Freund, and one grandson, Matthew Owen.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home with Deacon Alan Boeldt officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Following the funeral service a luncheon will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the funeral home. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc.
Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
