Mary J. Ebbers

Mary J. Ebbers, 85, of Cedar Grove went into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Mary was born at home on Nov. 15, 1937, in Cedar Grove, the youngest of four children until a baby brother, Dennis, came along to make five children born to Orville and Grace (Schreurs) Soerens.

Mary was a 1955 graduate of Cedar Grove High School.

On Nov. 15, 1956, Mary’s 19th birthday, she married Wayne Ebbers. Wayne preceded Mary in death on June 3, 2020.  

Mary was a hard worker, first having a job as a telephone switchboard operator. Then, for 32 years, she drove school buses for the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District, making a positive impact on the lives of many children and then even on those children’s children. She brought joy to many lives over those three decades.

Her pride and joy was her family —making a special home for her four boys, running to 4-H events and watching many years of athletics.

She was a lifelong member of First Reformed Church of Cedar Grove, where she taught Sunday school, was a member of the Ladies Circle and served with the youth group.

Mary’s fondest life memories include the family tradition of decorating Christmas cookies, family vacations up north, winter Florida vacations, family gatherings with her siblings, couples’ vacations with her sister Shirley and her husband, family birthday parties and attending the sporting events of her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary was a very hands-on grandma and enjoyed interacting with her grandchildren,  playing games and doing crafts. She left a huge impact of unconditional love and fond memories to her 15 grandchildren.

These past few days, she just kept telling us children about how much she loved us all and how thankful she was for us “being good kids.” We told her she was the important part and the originator of creating good kids.

We are going to miss her hugs, kisses and her involvement in our lives, but we are thankful she is released from this earthly body and now is enjoying her heavenly body.

FAMILY: like branches on a tree. We all grow in different directions. Yet, our roots remain as one.

Mary is survived by  four sons, Joel (Kaye) Ebbers, James (Vicki) Ebbers, Jere (Jody) Ebbers and Jack (Lisa) Ebbers; 15 grandchildren, Traci (Dan) Hopeman, Jodi (Jason) Jones, Tami (Jason) Jacoby, Courtney (Trevor) Peterson, Dana, Bradley, Leah (James) Pitzl, Adam, Skyler, Kaslin, Brayden, Trey, Ryan, Kyle and Brett Ebbers; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters Joyce (Harry) VanStelle and Shirley Wieberdink; brothers Elwood “Woody” (LaVerne) Soerens and Dennis (Marcia) Soerens; and sisters-in-law Nancy DeMaster and RuthAnn Ebbers. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne Ebbers and brothers-in-law Don Ebbers, Lee DeMaster and Wayne Wieberdink.

A funeral service to honor Mary’s life will take place at First Reformed Church of Cedar Grove at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2023, with the Rev. Brad Bradford officiating.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Friday at First Reformed Church of Cedar Grove from 9:30 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made in Mary’s name.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of Sharon S. Richardson for their kind and compassionate care of Mary.

Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg is caring for the family.

Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolence and more details.