Mary Lou Hegner (nee Hooyman), of Hortonville, Wisconsin passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, celebrating her 61st Anniversary on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at the age of 78.

Born in Appleton, Wisconsin on January 4, 1948 to the late Alyosius and Alice (Garrity) Hooyman. She then graduated from Hortonville High School in 1966 before working for many years for Shopko on Northland and Fox Valley Hematology. Mary Lou was united in marriage to Gene Hegner on July 5, 1965 and she enjoyed 61 years of marriage with him.

Mary Lou was an avid gardener and member of the Nickel A Region Model A Club. She and Gene were members at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Mary Lou was a strong, loving person whose bravery shined every day through her many medical troubles. Faith and family were the pillars that Mary Lou built her life upon. There was nothing that she loved more than spending time with her family and heaping all the love that she could on them.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 61 years, Gene; her children, Michelle Hedtke, David (Nina) Hegner, Lorien (Pebbles) Hegner, Valerie (Jamie) Griesbach, Lynnette (Cody) Kasten, Adam Hegner, Patrick (Jenny) Hegner, James (Cassandra) Hegner, Raymond (Brittany) Hegner, Shane (Jenna) Hegner, Janelle (Steve) Heise, and Joseph (Alicia) Hegner; her 27 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Preceding Mary Lou in death were her parents; 5 siblings; Gene’s parents; and great-grandchild, Kinsley Hegner.

The Funeral Mass for Mary Lou will take place on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Hortonville at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Phil Schoofs officiating. Visitation will take place from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. in the church narthex.

In addition to Mary Lou’s Funeral Mass, a Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Alonzo Park in Hortonville.

The family of Mary Lou would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at ThedaCare Hospice and the folks at the ThedaCare Medical Center in Neenah for their kind and compassionate care.