Mary Ann “Mary” Romberg, nee Sasse, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026 at the age of 90, at her home.
Mary was born on April 26, 1936 in Clintonville to the late Benjamin and Olga (Hoffmann) Sasse in Clintonville, Wisconsin. She was baptized in the hospital because she wasn’t expected to live. She attended St. Martin Lutheran School in Clintonville through the 8th grade. A Christian education was important to her family. She graduated from Clintonville High School in 1954.
Mary grew up in a little house in Clintonville with her 2 sisters and 6 brothers. She was born during the Great Depression and saw 5 of her brothers go off to war and with God’s help, all of them returned. Her family was known for their work ethic, and took on every job that came along. Mary’s 1st job was at Krueckenberg’s Clothing store in Clintonville where she earned 45 cents per hour. After high school she moved to Milwaukee in pursuit of better job opportunities and stayed for several years. She eventually moved back to Clintonville.
While in Clintonville, Mary was working at the local ice cream and malt shop, scooping ice cream when she met Franklyn Romberg, a farmer from the area. Mary and Franklyn were married on May 23, 1959. She had never desired to live on a farm, but it provided a very busy and full life. The farm was plentiful with people, often having hired help. It was an amazing place to raise her children, giving them every opportunity to enjoy animals, hunting and nature. Throughout her lifetime, the family farm flourished and is now owned and operated by two of her sons, Robin and Russel Romberg. The farm was an incredible source of pride for her, with the family receiving the Century Farm Award in 2023.
Mary was very experienced in providing meals for large groups. On the farm, she utilized all it had to offer, preserving fruits and vegetables from the garden, raising their own meat and she became an excellent cook. Mary shared her knowledge of cooking, teaching many others to cook along the way. She loved to bake and make candy including exceptional fudge. Her love of food never faded, hosting holidays and frequently inviting family and friends for meals at the farm.
She and her husband joined St. John’s Lutheran Church of Marion and she became active in the church, where she taught Sunday School, Bible School and even Confirmation classes. She always enjoyed children and was a good teacher. Because of her love for children and education, she served more than 20 years on the Board of Education for the School District of Marion. Mary and her husband became members of St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville later in life.
In 1988 Mary started her In-Home Day Care. She cared for many babies and children and treated them each as family. Those 15+ years provided some of her most precious memories. She often referred to those children as her Surrogate Grandchildren and loved them as her own.
Along with watching television, reading has always been one of her favorite pastimes. She enjoyed many types of books, as long as there was a good story behind the book. Mary frequently finished 2-3 books per week. She also treasured stories of the Bible and shared them with her local Bible Study Group.
Mary enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, especially the Milwaukee Brewers and she almost never missed watching a game. Her love of baseball started by watching her brothers play on Clintonville teams as she grew up. Then, she spent countless hours at the ballpark watching each of her 4 sons play for the Marion teams. She was always in attendance at all of her children’s sporting and music events.
Life wasn’t always easy, as farming is difficult with many sacrifices and challenges. Mary mourned the loss of a daughter who lived just 4 days and the tragic death a son that was killed in a car crash at the age of 17. Her husband also faced a significant health challenge, receiving a heart transplant in 1998 which gave them 19 more years together. Mary faced those challenges with the knowledge that God helps you through struggles if you let Him and that He always puts you where you are supposed to be. Her faith has always been strong!
Survivors include :Sons: Bruce (Lisa) Romberg of Appleton, Robin Romberg of Marion, Russel Romberg of Marion & Daughter, Jill (Steve) Sether of Marion
Grandchildren, Crystal Romberg of Neenah, Kevin Romberg of Appleton; Step-Grandchildren, Wyatt Sether of Wausau, Madeline Sether of Wausau; Great Grand Children, Gavin Wettengel, Grayson Reinke, Gideon Reinke
Brother-in-law Leroy Ashauer of Clintonville & Many Nieces and Nephews
Mary is preceded in death by: Parents Benjamin and Olga (Hoffmann) Sasse, Husband Franklyn Romberg, Daughter Rhetta Romberg, Son Ross Romberg, Sisters Gladys (Jack) duMee, Betty June (Harry) Millard, Brothers Willard “Spud” (Fae) Sasse, Allen “Al” (Rosemary) Sasse, Edward (Mary) Sasse, Lesley “Tut” (Betty) Sasse, Arlen “Tiny” (Betty) Sasse, and Merritt (Beverly) Sasse, Sisters in Law Delores Ashauer, Lorraine Vollmer, Evelyn McAfee, Nieces Cheri duMee, Kathy Herritz, Londa Della, and Cindy Vollmer.
Mary’s funeral service will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11am at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Jason Zobel officiating. A meal will follow at the church and burial will take place at Greenleaf Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers Mary preferred memorials for the St. Martin Lutheran School. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting her family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com
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