Mary Krabbe

Mary Ellen (Coakley) Krabbe, 86, of Seymour, passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Meadow Wood Assisted Living, Seymour. She was born August 20, 1931, daughter of the late, Leo and Ruth (Saylor) Coakley. On April 19, 1952, she was united in marriage to Donald Krabbe. He preceded her in death on February 12, 2005.

Mary was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Stephensville and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Seymour.

After having eight children, Mary graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, holding the distinction of being in the first graduating class. Mary began her teaching career with the Shiocton School District. After her ninth child, Mary returned to college and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with her Master’s degree in Reading Education.

Mary taught in the Shiocton School District at the elementary and middle school grade levels for twenty-plus years before retiring for the first time. She then opened and operated her business, The Crabbe Reader—Bookstore and Yarn Shop in Seymour for over twenty years until her second retirement in 2017.

Mary enjoyed reading, knitting, traveling and was an active participant in St. John the Baptist choir. Mary had a soft spot in her heart for rescuing dogs and cats.

She is survived by her children: Catherine (Larry) Estenson, Whitehall, WI; Victoria (Tom) Wagner, Shiocton; Ellen Krabbe, New London; Jean (Richard) Mc Sherry, Appleton; Steven (Cheri) Krabbe, Seymour; Margaret Krabbe, North Palm Beach, FL; and Peter (Stephanie) Krabbe, Seymour; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Forster and Patricia (Dean) Heinz; and brother, Leo (Betty) Coakley.

Mary is preceded in death by her son, James Krabbe; daughter, Elizabeth Pelky; and brothers, Richard Coakley and Bob Coakley.

Friends may call at St. John Catholic Church, Seymour on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, from 2:00 pm until the funeral mass at 6:00 pm with Father Brian Belongia officiating.

Online condolences may be expressed to Mary’s family at www.muehlboettcher.com

Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour is assisting the family with arrangements.