Mary L. Schaller

Mary Schaller, 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Mulder Health Care Facility in West Salem, Wisconsin.

She was born Mary Louise Sieger on April 15, 1942, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Raymond and Romelda Sieger. She spent her childhood in Madison with her parents and younger brother, Joe, until tragedy struck when she was orphaned at the age of 16. She was welcomed into the loving home of Stephen and Dolores Banaszak and their eight children. The Banaszaks became her second family, and Mary remained with them through her graduation from Edgewood High School in Madison in 1960. She carried a lifelong love and gratitude for the family who embraced her as one of their own.

Following high school, Mary moved to La Crosse to attend the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing (now part of Viterbo University), where she earned her Registered Nursing degree in 1964.

Nursing was far more than a profession to Mary, it was her calling. During a career that spanned more than five decades, she cared for countless patients as a La Crosse County Public Health Nurse and later at Mulder and Lakeview Health Centers in West Salem. She spent much of her career serving veterans at the Tomah and Madison VA Hospitals, where she found deep purpose in caring for those who had served our country. Even after retiring in 2002, Mary couldn't stay away from the work she loved. She returned to Lakeview Health Center, working the overnight shift until her final retirement in 2016.

In 1966, she married Dick Greene, and together they welcomed three sons: Mike, Jim, and Tony. While raising her young family, Mary balanced her nursing career with waitressing shifts at The Curve-In Lanes in West Salem, the Greene family business.

After she and Dick divorced, Mary continued raising her boys in West Salem and later Madison. She eventually found love with Doug Schaller. She and Doug were blessed to be married twice, the first time in August 1984 and the second on July 6, 2002.

One of Mary's greatest passions was serving others through volunteer work. She devoted countless hours to the American Legion Auxiliary and the Forty & Eight Cabane, where she held numerous leadership positions, including Locale Presidente of Cabane 830 in La Crosse, La Grande Presidente (serving three terms), La Grande Aumônier, Chair of the La Grande Resolution Committee, and La Grande Nurses Training Directeur. She also held the offices of American Legion Auxiliary President and 1st Vice President with the Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 51. Of all her accomplishments, her greatest joy came from raising funds and presenting scholarships through the Cabane Nurses Training Program, helping future generations of nurses follow their dreams.

Mary also had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. She and Doug enjoyed countless trips together while attending American Legion and Forty & Eight events around the country. Among her favorite adventures were a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with her son Mike, a trip to Rome with Doug and treasured friends, a trip to Japan with Doug and Tony to visit her son Jim and daughter-in-law Miyu, and a memorable Amtrak journey to Boston to watch her granddaughter graduate from college. She also cherished the many trips she made to the Twin Cities to attend her grandchildren's school events. Mary often saved for her adventures by tucking away cash in white envelopes labeled with each destination.

Closer to home, Mary loved sharing local history as a volunteer docent at the Gullickson House through the West Salem Historical Society, welcoming visitors with kindness.

Mary's Catholic faith was the foundation of her life. She enjoyed attending Bible studies with her son and grandson and found comfort in both faith and family. In quieter moments, she loved curling up with a good book, watching movies with her son Tony, and crocheting thoughtful gifts that will continue to remind family and friends of her love for years to come.

Her love of Christmas and her joy of the season will be greatly missed this year. The family loved her gifts, carefully wrapped with the surgical tape she would find in her pockets after returning home from her shifts.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Romelda Sieger; her brother, Joe Sieger; her foster parents, Stephen and Dolores Banaszak; her foster brother, Stephen Banaszak; her foster sister, Anita Shively; her first husband, Dick Greene; brothers-in-law John Konrad, Jack Herbert, Francis Schaller, William Schaller, Don Vian, Clifton Staff, Richard Crabtree, Dick Priebe, Dave Wolf; sisters in law Maybelle Konrad, Joanne Herbert, Georgina Schaller, Aletta Vian; and her nephews Patrick Snell and Zachary Shively.

A beloved wife, mom, sister and grandmother, she is lovingly remembered by her husband, Doug Schaller; her sons, Mike (Stephanie) Greene, Jim (Miyu) Greene, Tony Greene; her beloved grandchildren, Salome and Aidan Greene; her foster sisters, Lynn Crabtree, Susan Priebe, Karen (Jeff Reinke) Banaszak, Nancy Banaszak Lambert, Geradette (Brian) Barkey, Dolores Banaszak (Mark Holmes); brothers in law John (Marion) Schaller, Arthur (Maxine) Schaller, Michael (Lynda) Schaller, Randy Schaller; sisters in law Karen Schaller-Wolf and Liz Staff (Ray Kline); her dearest friends, Joan Remboldt, Betty Erickson; and many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A visitation will be held on August 15, 2026 at St. Teresa Catholic Parish in West Salem at 9am. There will be a funeral mass at 11am with a reception at the American Legion Post 51 in West Salem immediately after. A private interment will be held at a later date.

As Mary will be remembered for her generous heart, the family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the La Crosse County Cabane 830 for the Nurses Training Program.