Mary Erdman

Mary Jane Erdman, age 88, of Waukesha, died Tuesday March 11, 2008 at her Waukesha home. She was born in Dodgeville, WI on October 14, 1919 to Fredrick and Eulalia (nee: Doyle) Steppler. Mary Jane was a graduate of UW-Platteville, earning a B.A. in Education. She also received a two-year degree in education from Edgewood College in Madison. She started teaching at rural schools in Richland, WI and Grant Counties, then in Potosi, WI and Lafayette County. In 1947, she taught in Augusta, WI and Whitewater, WI. Mary Jane then taught third grade in Waupaca, WI and at St. Mark School in Kenosha, WI for fifteen years before retiring in 1973. In retirement, Mary Jane enjoyed substitute teaching in the Waukesha School District and was the past president of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a lifetime member of the VFW, the Soil Conservation Society of America and a 35 year member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waukesha. On December 26, 1953 she married Alvin Erdman. She will be sadly missed by her husband, Alvin Erdman of Waukesha; and two children Janet (John) O'Brien of Waukesha and Allan Erdman of St. Louis, MO. Dear grandmother of Kathleen O'Brien of Milwaukee, Sean and Alison O'Brien both of Waukesha. She is further survived by her sister Dorothy Konkol of Black River Falls. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Richard and John Steppler and sister Pauline Steppler. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 16, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha, WI with a VFW Auxiliary Service at 7 PM. Services continue Monday, March 17 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 225 S. Hartwell Ave. with a visitation from 10:00 AM until the 11:00 AM Funeral Mass. The Very Reverend James T. Volkert will preside. Burial will take place at 2:00 PM on Monday at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove. Memorials are appreciated to Waukesha Catholic Schools, 221 S. Hartwell Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186, Beautiful Savior Lutheran School, 1205 S. East Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186 or Rolland Nelson Crossroads Hospice, 1020 James Dr., Hartland, WI 53029. For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.