Mary Kathryn Gago

Mary Kathryn Gago, 99, of Phillips, Town of Flambeau, passed away peacefully at Marshfield Medical Center – Park Falls on April 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born at home on June 25, 1925, in Phillips, WI to John and Mary (Dill) Tadin. She graduated from Phillips High School in 1942. After graduation, she worked for two years for the Crane Company in Chicago, IL. Although she did not know it at the time, Mary later received a medal and plaque stating she had worked on the Atomic Bomb for WWII while at the Crane Company.

The self-proclaimed “wall flower” met the love of her life, Andrew Gago, at the Crane Chase Dance Hall, near Lugerville. She and Andy were united in marriage on August 24, 1946, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Phillips, WI. In later years, the couple purchased the Dance Hall property and own it to this day.

Together Mary and Andy farmed and raised their eight children. Mary loved planting her vegetable garden as well as many flowers. Her family called her the “Tree Lady” as she was always planting trees or grafting apple trees, and don’t you dare cut down one of her trees!

Mary was always a very determined woman getting her driver’s license in her 50s and buying herself a Cadillac in her 70s! She volunteered for many years at Pleasant View Nursing Home as the “Sunshine Lady” and loved to read The Bee to the residents and bring in her baked goods for all to enjoy. After her “retirement,” Mary enjoyed knitting, reading, and working on crosswords puzzles and word searches. She could often be found watching (snoozing) in her recliner chair with a Brewer, Packer, or Badger game playing on TV, very loudly! She loved to play card games and board games, especially Scrabble or Boggle, even if she may have made up her own words! She was always the life of the party and the one leading The Chicken Dance on the dance floor at her grandchildren’s weddings. Above all, Mary loved spending time with her family and friends. She was one of a kind, except for when she was with her sister Phyllis, the other pea in the pod, the two always getting into mischief! She was a woman of great faith and was able to receive her last Eucharist at Easter Sunday mass, just days before her passing. Mary’s sense of humor, funny stories, love, and laughter will always be remembered and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Mary is survived by her children: Diane (Ron) Tingo of Phillips, Darrell (Diane) Gago of Tony, Larry Gago of Turtle Lake, Mike (Barb) Gago of Phillips, and Cindy (Brian) Gago of Minnesota, and two daughters-in-law: Mary Gago of Murfreesboro, TN and Vickie Gago of New Richmond, WI. She was also blessed with 25 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Andy, daughter Kathy, sons Bob and Tony, daughter-in-law Dorothy, step-granddaughter Sammie, her sister Phyllis Dolezalek and brother John Tadin.

A mass of Christian burial with be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 2, 2025, at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Phillips, WI. Visitation will begin at 9:30am and conclude at the time of the service.

This poem was near and dear to Mary Gago, as it was kept in her bible.

TO THOSE I LOVE AND THOSE WHO LOVE ME

When I am gone, release me and let me go

I have many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears.

Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess

How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you’ve shown,

But now it is time I travel alone.

To grieve a while for me if grieve you must,

Then let your grief be comforted by trust,

It’s only for awhile that we must be apart.

So bless the memories within my heart,

I won’t be far away, for life goes on.

So if you need me call and I shall come.

Though you can’t see or touch me, I will be near.

And if you listen with your heart you will hear

All of my love around you soft and clear.

And when you must come this way alone,

I will greet you with a smile and say,

“WELCOME HOME”