It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Ann (Brunsvold) Bohnsack announces her passing at the age of 90 years. On August 18, 2026, Mary succumbed to the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. Mary will be lovingly remembered by her children, Eric (Kim) and Janet (Walter) Fullmer and her precious grandsons, Jacob (Lauren) and Dan (Lauren) Fullmer. Mary will also be fondly remembered by her sister-in-law Reta Bohnsack, nieces and nephews, their children, extended family and dear friends. Mary was preceeded in death by her brothers, Robert and Roger Brunsvold. Mary was a long-time resident of Freeport, IL, spent several years splitting her time between Milwaukee, WI and Surprise, AZ, and most recently resided at Grand Hills Castle Senior Living Center in New Berlin, WI.
Mary was born in Orfordville, Wisconsin to her late parents, Ephraim and Delphia Brunsvold. She married Kenneth Frank Bohnsack six months after meeting him on a blind date and they shared 61 years together before he passed away in 2018. Mary raised her 2 kids full-time until attending college at the same time as her kids. Mary earned her Associate’s Degree from Highland Community College. Mary’s career then started at Crum and Forster Insurance Company in Freeport, IL and culminated as the Executive Assistant to the President at Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) in Rockford, IL - a position she started at the age of 55 and held for 25 years, retiring at the age of 79 1/2! Her retirement was highlighted by a company-wide celebration attended by current and past FMA employees, Presidents and Directors who had travelled from all over the country on a day the office was shut down to celebrate Mom!
Mary enjoyed numerous hobbies and talents. She was a seamstress and passed on this skill to Janet and numerous young girls. She loved “treasure hunting” with her friend, renting a van and visiting numerous antique shops and old barns in search for the perfect furniture to refinish. Mary led her daughter’s 4H club for many years sharing her talents with numerous young girls and guiding several to success at the local and state fairs. Mary loved music and had a great singing voice. She sang with the church choir and the Highland Chorale, even singing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Mary later took her talents to the stage. She sang in the chorus in numerous musicals at the Winneshiek Theatre in Freeport, IL. As a long-time Lutheran, her biggest challenge was learning to genuflect correctly as a nun in the Sound of Music!
If you knew Mary, you were charmed by her vivacious personality, ever-present smile and infectious laugh. She was everyone’s friend and she always wanted others to feel happy and cared for. She never failed to ask about you and those around you. She had serious FOMO (Fear of Missing Out!) leading to her never-ending pursuit of being present wherever she was and with the people she cared for. She laughed easily and never took herself too seriously. She was the focus of Kenny’s love and basked in his adoration. She will be missed by so many, but she is now at peace, free of pain, and her memories of Kenny, her family and her friends have been restored.
Your support and love are welcome by joining us in a celebration of Mary’s life at an open house in Franklin, WI.
· Saturday, September 12, 2026, 3:00-7:00pm, home of Eric and Kim Bohnsack, Franklin, WI. Group sharing of memories at approximately 5pm. If you are not familiar with Eric’s address, please reach out to Janet or Eric.
If you wish, memorials in honor of Mary can be made to Agrace Hospice at https://www.agrace.org/donate/ , or a charity of your choice.
