Mary Ann (Jansen) Gores of Chetek, died peacefully with family by her side at Brentwood Assisted Living, Rice Lake on July 26, 2026, at the age of 95.

Mary Ann was born February 11, 1931, to Mary and Ed Jansen in Turtle Lake Wisconsin. She was raised on the family farm along with her six siblings. Life on the farm was filled with love, laughter, hard work and for Mary Ann, books and reading. This love of reading was a large part of her life throughout her 95 years. She passed this passion onto her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary Ann met and married the love of her life, John Gores, in June of 1950. They lived in Almena until 1958, when they moved to Chetek where they made their home and raised their four daughters. They spent many weekends “up north” at their shared cabin with friends. In later years, they spent winter months in Emerald Isle North Carolina, enjoying the ocean and family visits.

Mary Ann pursued her passion of books by working at the Chetek Public Library. She then accepted a position at the High School Library where she established friendships with both staff and students. Mary Ann was an active member of the Chetek Library Board, she retired from the Chetek High School Library in the early 1990’s.

Mary Ann was devoted to her family. She instilled in her daughters, a sense of acceptance and inclusiveness for all ethnicities, economic levels and lifestyles. She took great joy in her relationships with her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchild. Over the years, holidays and weekends were celebrated with not only her nuclear family, but with parents, siblings, nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

Mary Ann was a active member of St. Boniface Catholic church for fifty-eight years. Throughout her life, her faith sustained her. “Love and Prayers” was her signature, so much so, that her granddaughters had tattoos of her actual signature.

Mary Ann is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Richard and Carol Jansen, daughters, Patricia (Greg) Cooper, Dianne (Karl) Reindel, Mary (Gores) Odden and Laurie (Don) Loeffler. She has also survived by her grandchildren, Jesse Cooper, Johanna (Ian) Jennings, Jessica (Jeremy) Koch, Katherine (BJ) Shelly, Andrew Reindel, Johnathon Olson, Krista (Shawn) Elwood, Jacob (Kelsey) Kittleson and Jed (Jolene) Kittleson along with eleven great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband John, her parents Edward and Mary Jansen, John’s parents Odelia and John Gores Sr., her sister Theresa Jansen, brother and sister-in-law Marvin and Alice Jansen, sister and brother-in-law Lucille and John Ludy, brother and sister-in law William and Lila Jansen and sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Fred Graber. Brother-in-laws, Jerome Gores, Ervin (Marion) Gores, sister-in-law Delores (Leo) Brickner, nephews Robert Gores and Bruce Jansen, nieces Mary Queen and Barb Christiansen.

The family extends a special “thank you” to Brentwood Vista Prairie administration and staff. She thought of them as family. Mom especially valued the friendships she made while living there. We would also like to express our gratitude to St. Croix Hospice for their care and guidance in the last few weeks.

The Mass of Christian Burial and visitation will be held at St. Boniface Church in Chetek, Wisconsin on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at noon. A visitation will be held prior at 10:30am. Following the service there will be fellowship and luncheon in the basement at St. Boniface. At 2:30pm Mary will be laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Almena, Wisconsin. The family invites all to attend. 

Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family requests to please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.