Mary F. Kukanich, 72, of Rhinelander, died on Feb. 13, 2012, in Rhinelander. She was born on May 12, 1939, in Kenosha, to Elmer and Margaret Pabst.

Mary attended schools in Milwaukee and after her graduation from high school, she was employed by Allen Bradley Corp. It was during these years that she met Raymond Kukanich and they were married on September 23, 1961 in Milwaukee. They just celebrated their 50th anniversary. Mary and Ray moved to Rhinelander in 1965, and other than a couple of years in Stevens Point, they have lived here since. Mary was a member of the Nativity of Our Lord Parish all of those years. She loved music and dancing, flowers, traveling and all animals. She was truly a loving mother and grandmother.

Mary is survived by her husband Raymond, her two daughters Debra (John) Schaefer of Minneapolis, Minn. and Lisa (Thomas) Norling of San Antonio, Texas, her two grandchildren Patrick and Emily Schaefer, and her brother Richard (Ruth Ann) Pabst of Pewaukee. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jean Metzger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 11:30 a.m., at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church-St. Mary’s site, with Father Tom Thakadipuram officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Carlson Funeral Home. Visitation will also be held just prior to the services at the Church on Thursday.

(Carlson Funeral Home)