Mary Louise Besser, age 95, of Hudson, passed away on January 23, 2019, at Pine Ridge Assisted Living in Hudson. Mary was born on August 15, 1923, in St. Paul, MN, to parents Louis and Ellen (Tubridy) Catty. She grew up in St. Paul and attended elementary school at St. Luke’s. She graduated high school from St. Joseph’s Academy and continued her studies at the University of Minnesota. 

Mary was united in marriage to Theodore “Ted” Besser on August 30, 1947, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in St. Paul. Shortly after their wedding, the couple settled in Hudson and were blessed with three sons and two daughters. They relocated to New London, WI, for ten years and returned to Hudson upon retirement. They wintered for many years in Florida and then in Green Valley, Arizona.

Mary enjoyed volunteering. She volunteered with the Hudson and New London Hospital Auxiliary organizations while her husband served as Administrator. Mary was a leader for Brownies and Girl Scouts in Hudson, helped on field trips and in the library at St. Patrick’s school, and later volunteered for many organizations in New London, being named Volunteer of the Year in the early 1980s. She was fond of reading, playing cards, going for walks, gardening, and quilting.  

Mary is survived by her children, Richard (Shirley Russman), Thomas (Kathy Potter), John (Cathy Richter), Mary Ann (Forrest) Pearson, and Ellen (Troy) Fredrich; grandchildren, Meg Potter Besser, Valerie Richter Besser, Mara and Hallie Fredrich, Clare and Graeme Pearson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ted; infant daughter, Catherine Ann; and brother, Louis Catty.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2nd at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1500 Vine St., Hudson. Visitation will be held one hour prior to mass at the church. Interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Hudson. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.