Lifelong De Pere resident Mary Ellen (Brooks) Maes, 88, passed away early Thursday morning, May 2, 2024. She was born March 27, 1936 in De Pere to Mathilda "Tillie" (Wollenberg) and Bernard Brooks. Mary grew up on a farm in rural De Pere with three sisters and three brothers.

After graduating from East De Pere High School, Mary worked in the office at Mc Monagle Lumber yard in De Pere. She met James "Jim" Maes when her brother Jack brought Jim over for a visit after returning from the Korean conflict. Jim and Mary were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church, De Pere, on August 21, 1957 and settled into a home on Fourth Street in De Pere where they enjoyed 62 years of life (and home improvements) together.

Mary spent most of her time raising their six children, but she always found time for service to the community. She volunteered her time at St. Joseph's Church (now Our Lady of Lourdes) and was active with their quilting group. Mary volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Green Bay, and she was also proud to be an election poll worker.

An avid gardener, Mary enjoyed raising vegetables and canning the extras for family meals. Her raspberries were a special passion, and jars of her jam were shared with family and special friends. She played bridge on a regular basis and looked forward to getting together for cards (and gossip) with her bridge group. Mary enjoyed family camping trips and loved spending time at A-Maes-Inn, the summer cottage on the Bay. Many family gatherings were held at the cottage, and corn roasts, booyah, and camp fires were special times for everyone.

Mary is survived by her six children and their spouses, Bill (Julie) Maes, Tom Maes, Julie (Andy) Burkard, Mike Maes, Andy Maes, Jeff Maes; and grandchildren Kathryn, Alyssha, Rachel (Michael) Lemke, Kyle, Rebecca, and Lindsey. She is also survived by a sister, Helen Jean (Brooks) Rentmeester; and two brothers, David (Janet) Brooks and Jim (Barb) Brooks.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents, Bernard and Mathilda Brooks; brother John "Jack" Brooks and sister-in-law Beverly Brooks; sister Dorothy (Brooks) Michalski and brother-in-law Tom Michalski; Carol (Brooks) Hendricks and brother-in-law Jim Hendricks; and brother-in-law Ronald Rentmeester.

Friends may call at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1307 Lourdes Avenue, De Pere, after 9:00 AM on Tuesday, May 14th, until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM with Fr. James Baraniak, O. Praem. officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes would be appreciated.

Special thanks to the caring staff at the Rennes Group in De Pere.