Post Messenger Recorder -

Mary Grace Waltz, age 75 of Mount Horeb, WI, died on Sunday, December 24, 2017, at UW Hospitals in Madison, WI, with her husband, Peter, at her side. Mary was born July 22, 1942, to William and Ruth (Walzer) Hicks in Darlington, WI. 

She attended Kingsley School, a one room rural school, for her first eight years of education.  She then graduated from Darlington High School and finished her formal schooling with a degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

On December 28, 1964, she married Peter J. Waltz and they established their residence in New Glarus, WI.  Peter attended law school and Mary began her teaching career.  Mary taught second and third graders, (more than 1,000 students), at the New Glarus Elementary School for 36 years.  She loved teaching and got a lot of satisfaction in seeing her student's progress over the school year.  She had a way of relating with her students so as to give them confidence in themselves and a desire to learn.  She treated them all with the same respect (there were no teacher's pets) in her classes.  This respect has been returned to her by the many, many times she was out socially and former students, now in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, coming up to her and saying: "Do you remember me Mrs. Waltz? You were my favorite teacher!" Mary also enjoyed dancing, golf, and cooking, as well as dining out with friends.  She enjoyed traveling, having made many trips to Europe and Mexico. However, for the past three years, Mary was subjected to several physical ailments which restricted her activities.

Mary was on the Board of Directors of the Mount Horeb Community Foundation, and was past treasurer for the Wednesday Night Couples Golfing League at the Norsk Golf for many years.

Mary is survived by her husband of 52 years, Peter; her brother, Jerry (Judy) Hicks of Janesville, a nephew, Joe (Connie) Hicks; grandnephews, Matthew (Sam) Hicks and Michael Hicks; great-grandnephews, Robert, Joey and Brandon Hicks; other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister-in-law, Justine Hicks.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at the Ellestad Camacho Funeral Home, 500 N. 8th Street, Mount Horeb, WI, with Fr. Chahm Gahng officiating.  Burial will be at Mount Horeb Union Cemetery.  A visitation will be from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., on Friday, December 29, 2017, at the Ellestad Camacho Funeral Home in Mount Horeb.

Please make any memorials to the Mount Horeb Community Foundation or the Mount Horeb Historical Society, or a charity of your choice.

http://www.camachofuneralhomes.com

(608)437-5077