STITZER – Mary J. (Brugger) Bendorf, age 90 passed away on Thursday March 12, 2026, after suffering a stroke.
Mary was born on December 14, 1935, in rural Platteville to Arthur and Mary Richards Brugger. Mary attended area schools, with graduation from Platteville High School in 1953. She pursued further education at Spring Arbor, Michigan and the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. Mary and Virgil Bendorf married on June 14, 1956, and they farmed in rural Stitzer until retiring off the farm in 1990.
Mary enjoyed an active life being involved with her family, especially with youth-centered activities like school, 4-H, sports activities, community, and church. In 1985 off farm employment started as a cook at the Good Samaritan Home in Fennimore and continued there until December 2000. Work then took her to the monogramming department at Lands' End until 2011.
Mary's hobbies involved many outdoor activities in the pleasant weather, and writing and reading when shut-in time ruled.
Mary is survived by a daughter, Anna Kutis of Gaston, Indiana; four sons: Ivan (Carol) of Stitzer, Phil (Sue) of Warsaw Indiana, Al (Deb) of Stitzer, and Dale (Candice) of Gastonia, North Carolina; grandchildren: Laura Bendorf, Scott Bendorf, Curtis (Kayla) Bendorf, Derrick Bendorf, Shannon (Darick) Stiles, Josh Bendorf, Andrea (Hunter) Barry, Dylan Bendorf, Addison Bendorf, Mitchell (Madeline) Kutis, Greg (Lauryn) Kutis, and Beatrice Kutis; and great-grandchildren: William, Noah, Isaac, Emmett, Ashlyn, Felix, and Mya.
Mary is further survived by her siblings: Tom (Marilyn) Brugger, Kris Becker, Steve Brugger, Kevin (Kathy) Brugger, and LeeAnn Stark; brother-in-law Robert Osborn; sisters-in-law Carol Brugger and Mary Brugger; and Virgil's siblings, Walter Bendorf and Margaret Oechsle.
She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil on May 25, 2016; her parents; her brothers: John, Paul, David, Jim and Mark Brugger; and a sister Barbara Osborn.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in Mary's name to the Fennimore Rescue Squad.
Celebration of Life
Saturday June 20, 2026
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Niehaus Hall
Fenway House Hotel
Fennimore, Wisconsin
Burial Services
Hillside Cemetery
Lancaster, Wisconsin