Mary Jane Kostelny, of White Lake died Friday, February 8, 2019, at Evergreen Terrace under the care of her family and LeRoyer Hospice. She was 81 years old. She was born on December 28, 1937, in Elton, a daughter of the late Leonard and Vera (Murray) Nixon. She married Paul Kostelny on June 13, 1959, at St. James Catholic Church in White Lake. He preceded her in death on May 29, 2016.

She was a graduate of White Lake High School, class of 1955. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduating in 1959.

She taught English in Antigo and White Lake before joining her husband dairy farming in the town of Evergreen.

Mary was a member of St. James and Stanislaus Parish, the Christian Mothers, the Wolf River Women’s Book Club and the Wolf River Ski Bells. For 17 years she was the activity director for the Evergreen 4-H Club and also taught religious education for 27 years at St. James Parish.

She enjoyed reading, walking, downhill and cross country skiing.

Mary and Paul traveled extensively having been to Hungary, Alaska, Ireland and through the United States. They also enjoyed many winters in Florida.

Survivors include six children, Andy Kostelny of White Lake, Len Kostelny of Green Bay, Kay Kostelny of Appleton, Betty (Steve) Kestly of Hobart, John (Trisha) Kostelny of Appleton and Ruth (Marty) Sprangers of Sherwood; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Gertrude Spychalla of Antigo; and two brothers, Jerome “Nick” Nixon and James Nixon both of Elton.

In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Nixon; brother-in-law, Jim Spychalla; and sister-in-law, Gladys Nixon.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, at 12 noon at St. James Catholic Church, White Lake with Reverend Charles Hoffmann officiating. Burial will take place in the town of Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home and on Wednesday at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of services. A parish wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

The Kostelny children would like to send a special thank you to Sarah and Gary Voytovich and the entire Evergreen Terrance staff for giving our Mom and us such a beautiful home these past five years. We have all felt their blessings many times over and cannot thank them enough for their daily ability to give our Mom such care, compassion, human touch, genuine kindness, and love. We will be forever grateful. We would also like to thank Dr. Flowers for continuing to provide medical care and support for our Mom while doing onsite visits at Evergreen. Lastly, we would like to thank the team from LeRoyer Hospice for all their help, care and thoughtfulness right through the final moments of our Mom’s life.