Mary Ellen Kubsch

Mary Ellen Kubsch, age 93, Green Bay, formerly of Denmark, WI, passed away January 29, 2025. She was born October 9, 1931 to the late Alice (Baumgart) and Stephen G. Huisenfeldt. She attended Lincoln School in the town of Rockland and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, Green Bay in 1948 at the age of 16. She started her career working at Leicht Transfer and Storage as a Secretary and from 1952 to 1963 she was employed by Brown County as Secretary to County Corporation Council. She married George B. Kubsch on October 1, 1960 at St. Francis Church in De Pere. She became a homemaker, bookkeeper for George’s Sinclair/Arco fuel oil business and raised two daughters. She was active in Girl Scouts, as a troop leader for many years, and accompanied her daughters on camping trips and new adventures. Mary Ellen recognized the importance of being cultured by having her girls involved in dance classes, sewed many dance costumes for recitals, attended music and theater productions and traveled to visit family and friends throughout the United States. Her husband preceded her in death on July 15, 1975. Mary Ellen went back to work and was hired as Secretary to the President at Denmark State Bank in 1978. She always had a love of learning and took classes through American Institute of Banking (AIB), UWGB and NWTC. She was promoted in 1981 to Assistant Vice President and three years later to Vice President. She specialized in mortgage loans and took great pride in helping people achieve their dream of owning a home. Mary Ellen was an active member of the National Association of Bank Women holding officer positions and serving on committees to promote the advancement of women in finance careers. She retired from Denmark State Bank in 1995.

In June of 1996 Mary Ellen organized the Denmark Historical Society and served as President of the organization until October of 2013. She loved how the museum brought local people together to reminisce. She enjoyed meeting new people from near and far…and was delighted when people visited the museum from the country of Denmark. She gathered photos and stories to create a walking tour book of the historical sites around the village of Denmark.

While living in Denmark, Mary Ellen was an active member of All Saints Catholic Church. She taught catechism classes, was a member of the Altar Society and served on many committees.

One of Mary Ellen’s goals in life was to see the world! She traveled to all ends of the globe – always adventurous and interested in the history, culture and experiences of her latest exploration.

Mary Ellen is survived by two daughters, Lauren (Herman/Bud) Vandenberg, Presque Isle, WI and Kristen (Allan) Wartella, Suamico, WI. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Julia (Kyle) Caley, Luke (Cassie) Vandenberg, Elisabeth (Victor) Vento, Nicholas Vandenberg, and Samara Wartella (s/o Elias Newlin); great-grandchildren, Griffin, Gavin and Grayson Caley, Rhea and Leona Vento and Roland Vandenberg; sister-in-law Joyce Huisenfeldt; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband George; brothers Stephen G. Huisenfeldt II and Robert Huisenfeldt; sister and brother-in-law Bernice and Carl Kumbalek; and sisters-in-law Helen Kay Fisher and Ruthli Huisenfeldt.

In November of 2013, when she could no longer live alone, she moved to Blue Jay Springs, formerly Marla Vista Assisted Living. It became home. A special thank you to all the staff and management for their love, kindness and wonderful care they have given. Thank you to the staff of Unity Hospice for your help, guidance, comfort and support for the past few months.

A heartfelt thank you to those who continued to call and visit, especially when times became uncomfortable and difficult. Mary Ellen will be missed by those who knew her, but we are grateful she is finally at rest from the struggles and frustrations of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home - Denmark Chapel (536 County Road R) on Friday, February 7, from 4-6:30pm. A prayer service will be held at 6:30pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday, February 8 at All Saints Catholic Church in Denmark (145 St. Claude Street), from 9:00am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with Fr. Xavier Amirtham, O.Praem officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Online condolences are welcome at cotterfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.