Early in the morning of Tuesday, May 10, Mary G. Kersten, 96, of Algoma, passed away peacefully into Eternal Life at Algoma Long Term Care. She was born on December 16, 1914 to the late James and Bessie (Cmeyla) Koutsky in the Town of Pierce (Alaska), the youngest of their three children. She attended Alaska Grade School, Algoma High School (graduating as salutatorian of her class), and graduated from Door Kewaunee Teachers College in l933 with a Grade A teaching certificate. There were not enough schools for all of the teachers, so Mary worked as a receptionist at the Kewaunee County Court House on a Federal government project. She married Harry J. Kersten on September 19, 1934. He passed away in 1952, leaving her a single parent to raise their only child, 9-year old Karen. It was at this time that she developed her attitude of 'We can do this.' Mary began her life-long career when Katch's Department Store opened in Algoma in l936, where she became a buyer and manager. This eventually included doing the buying for the store in New York City, traveling four times a year for 25 years. She worked at Katch's until the closing of the store in l98l, after being there for 45 years. She was a pioneer as a women working outside of the home and raising a family. Family was the most important part of Mary's life, and she was always so grateful that we were all so close and able to spend so much time together. Surviving are her daughter, Karen and her husband Dennis Wautlet (her 'favorite' son-in-law), and their daughters and their families: Jodi (Mark Sauter) Wautlet and her children Brooks Renard & Blair Wautlet, Jill Wautlet and her daughter Jadyn, and Jane (Mike) Haase and their children Will & Isabelle. Mary was indeed the matriarch of our family, always thinking of others more than herself. Mary was an active member of St. Mary Parish. She was a charter member of the Rosary Society since 1937 and it's oldest living member. She also was a Eucharistic Minister for many years, took communion to the home bound, served funeral luncheons, and belonged to a Bible study group and prayer group. She was a member of the Algoma Election Board over 30 years. She loved to play cards and Bingo, and hang out with 'The Committee' for their once a month luncheon travels. She was always cooking and baking, making sure all the family had enough to eat, and even cooking for several years for an Algoma priest. In her spare time she crocheted slippers and afghans and stitched over 1000 decorative Kleenex boxes. Mom loved to be active and to be with people! Besides her husband and parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sister Lillian Montowski in 2009 at age 98 and her brother Arnold (Bud) Koustky in January, 2011 at age 98. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mary's name to St. Mary Parish, Algoma or Algoma Long Term Care. Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.schinderle.com. Friends may call at Schinderle Funeral Home, Algoma, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 and also on Friday, May 13 at St. Mary Parish from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian burial at 12 noon, with Fr. Bill Switchtenberg presiding. Burial immediately following in the parish cemetery. Mary's family extends a very special thank you to all the 'angels' at Algoma Long Term Care. She was so happy to spend the last couple years of her life there.

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