Mary J. Schultz

Mary Johanna Schultz, 73, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, died peacefully March 1, 2026, surrounded by family and friends at the home she shared with her beloved husband, David, and their two rescue cocker spaniels. Mary lived courageously with ovarian cancer for more than 28 years. She spoke openly about her journey and was known for sharing her optimism and views of her struggles. Mary was born May 26, 1952, in Superior, Wisconsin, the first child of Mike and Arlyne (Benson) Bukovich. Mike was so proud of his new daughter that he famously spent so much time at the hospital and around the neighborhood showing her off that he flunked his college classes that semester.

Mary attended Lincoln Elementary, Franklin Elementary, East Junior High, and Superior Senior High School, graduating with honors in 1970. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Superior in 1974, with minors in Music and Chemistry. During college she also participated in Air Force ROTC and was active in Angel Flight, the ROTC women’s service organization.

Mary’s lifelong love of church music began at age 11 while spending afternoons with her mother at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Superior, where Arlyne served as church secretary. After a memorable childhood mishap involving an electrical cord, the parish priest introduced Mary to the church’s pipe organ. Since she already played piano, she quickly learned the instrument and, by age 12, was playing for church services. This year marked Mary’s 61st year as a church organist, faithfully sharing her musical gifts wherever she lived. By one estimate, she played more than 5,000 church services during her lifetime. She also taught piano and organ lessons for decades, accompanying hundreds of students and musicians in competitions and performances. She believed that loving music mattered more than perfect technique, and many of her students carried that joy with them throughout their lives.

After her father’s death shortly after her 1974 graduation, Mary lived with an Episcopal clergy family, serving as a household helper and church organist as the family moved among several states. During that time she enjoyed many unique experiences, including two trips to England through a clergy exchange program. One highlight was playing Evensong as a guest organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Mary met her husband, David Schultz, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Eau Claire on October 6, 2005. Their first date took place ten days later at Irvine Park and Zoo in Chippewa Falls. David was immediately drawn to Mary’s warm smile, compassionate listening, and wonderfully irreverent sense of humor. They became engaged in December 2006 and were married May 27, 2007, at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in Eau Claire. Over the years they made homes in Cottage Grove, Minnesota; Knapp, Wisconsin; Little Rock, Arkansas; and most recently La Crosse. Mary had many passions. She loved cocker spaniels and, together with David, rescued and raised several over the years. She also founded Exodus39 Custom Church Vestments, a home-based business creating liturgical garments for clergy. Her sewing talents were further nurtured through her work at fabric stores including Mill End in Eau Claire and JoAnn Fabrics in Woodbury and La Crosse, where she proudly earned multiple “Queen of the Cut Table” awards. Mary also took pride in driving her five-speed, turbocharged Volkswagen, happily shifting gears until just weeks before her passing, often smiling whenever someone admired the “little lady” driving a manual.

Mary also volunteered with literacy and homeless relief programs in several communities where she lived. Stepping far outside her comfort zone, she even performed two piano benefit concerts for cancer research, raising more than $6,000. A return trip to England in 2024 with David was another cherished milestone.

First diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1998 and given only a 10% chance of surviving a year, she endured multiple recurrences, surgeries, at least seven rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation treatments over the decades. Through every challenge, she responded with remarkable grace, patience, and gratitude, continuing to live life fully. In 2025, complications from the disease made further treatment impossible, and in February 2026, Mary chose to stop IV nutrition and allow the natural process to take its course. She died peacefully from complications of ovarian cancer on March 1, 2026—St. David’s Day in the church calendar. Mary refused to let cancer define her life. As she once said during a Relay for Life speech, “Cancer is a bully—my dad taught me you have to stand up to bullies.” She lived with cancer, not defined by it, and faced every challenge with courage and faith.

She is survived by her loving husband, David Schultz, and her sister, Cathy (Bukovich) Jacobson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Arlyne Bukovich, and her brother-in-law, Alan Jacobson.

A visitation will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Coon Valley Lutheran Church, 1005 Central Ave., Coon Valley, Wisconsin. A funeral service celebrating Mary’s life will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Benjamin Morris officiating. Lunch with barbeque and mini-donuts will follow the service. A private interment will take place at a later date. The Seland Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com.

Flowers, especially tulips, are welcome. Memorials may be directed to the La Crosse Food Pantry, Literacy Action Project of Central Arkansas, Episcopal World Relief, or American Cancer Society. Blood donations to the American Red Cross are also encouraged; the need for blood for cancer patients is constant.

Mary’s family is deeply grateful to the many physicians, nurses, hospice caregivers, and medical teams across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Arkansas who cared for her with skill and compassion throughout her journey.