Mary Jane Nehs

Mary Jane Nehs of Pewaukee, died unexpectedly in her sleep on Thursday morning, April 4, 2013 at her home at the age of 76. She was born in Portage on May 13, 1936 to Robert J. and Leone (nee Hartman) Schalla, orphaned at the age of 9 and was raised in Chippewa Falls by her Aunts Mary and Martha Hartman. She married Dr. Douglas K. Nehs on August 4, 1956 in Chippewa Falls; he preceded her in death on October 21, 2010. Mary Jane was an active member of the Waukesha Noon Lioness Club since 1962 and St. William Catholic Church where she had been a member of the Catholic Study Club since 1966. After the passing of her husband, Mary Jane became active with a grief group spending her time helping others deal with the loss of their loved ones. Her ambitions took her through a journey of careers; working as a nurse for Dr. Gantz, she was a top selling realtor for Merrill Lynch and RE/MAX and the founder and owner of Dream Maker Homes. Her real joy was working side by side with her husband running their family business, Nehs Family Vision Center in Waukesha.

She will be sadly missed by her children, Steven D. (Michelle) Nehs of Waukesha, Patricia S. (David Roberts) Nehs of Hubertus, Thomas J. (Jessica) Nehs of Waupun and Michael J. (Dana) Nehs of Chicago, her grandchildren: Nicholas, Jennifer, Joseph (Christina), Angela (Eric), Donny, Callie and Conner and her great-grandchildren: Alex, Lauren, Matt, Cameron and Caroline. She is survived by her brother James (Irene) Schalla of Mystic, CT along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her husband Dr. Douglas Nehs and her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Robert J. Schalla Jr. and Donald L. Schalla.

Visitation will be held on Monday April 8, 2013 from 4:00pm until the 7:00pm vigil service at the Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186. Services continue on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the funeral home with prayers beginning at 9:30am followed by the procession to St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188 for the 10:30am funeral Mass. Reverend Curt Frederick will preside. Graveside services will immediately follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. Memorials are appreciated to the Waukesha Noon Lioness Club. Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Service is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at (262) 547-4035, or visit our website at www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an on-line tribute message.