Mary Jane (Schwenck) Perlberg

Mary Jane (Schwenck) Perlberg, 86, passed peacefully on October 15, 2025, at Country Terrace Assisted Living in Rhinelander, with family at her side. Born February 9, 1939, in Hinsdale, Ill., to Walter Harry Schwenck and Evelyn Cecelia (Wedin) Schwenck. She spent her early childhood living on the family farm in Paw Paw, Mich., with her parents, sister Elizabeth, and her grandparents. In 1950, the family moved to the Berlin area of Wisconsin.

While attending Wisconsin Academy in Columbus, Mary met a tall, handsome sophomore, David Perlberg, who was to become her future husband and love of her life. After graduating from high school, Mary attended Emmanuel Missionary College, now known as Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Mich., where she studied nursing and graduated in 1961. Mary and Dave were married in Hinsdale, Ill., on June 18, 1961, and then moved to Rhinelander to begin their married life together. They started a family, raising three children, and over the years, building three country family homes together. Their love for each other and devotion to family and faith created many happy memories and lots of laughter. Mary worked as a nurse, first at St. Mary’s Hospital, and then at Horizons Unlimited, but her joy was found in the time she spent being a homemaker and caring for her family.

Mary was a talented seamstress and delighted in making clothing and quilts for her children and grandchildren. She hosted many unforgettable family gatherings at Christmas and other holidays, creating wonderful memories and stories that will never be forgotten. She and Dave always had a vegetable garden, and she canned and froze the produce to enjoy during the long winter months. She was a wonderful cook and baker, always keeping the family well-fed and well-supplied with cookies, bread, and other goodies. In later years, she enjoyed tending her vegetable and flower gardens, special visits with grandchildren, daily walks with Dave, trips to Arkansas in the winter, and visits with family and friends.

Her faith and her church were a very important part of her life. She was a member of the Rhinelander Seventh-Day Adventist Church and was the church pianist for many years. Over the years, she made many lifelong friends within her church family. She was the director of the church thrift store where she enjoyed meeting people from the community who volunteered at or visited the shop. When asked recently by one of her children what she saw as her greatest accomplishment in life, she answered without hesitation, “My family.” She was a wonderfully kind and compassionate person and lived with a spirit of generosity. She was the beating heart of our family, and we will miss her immeasurably. 

She is survived by Dave, her husband of 64 years; her children, Jon Perlberg, Kris (Annette) Perlberg, Dawn (Robert) Miller; her grandchildren, Jacob (Lauren) Miller, Hannah Miller, Jonathan (Cortney) Miller; and great-granddaughter, Hailey Miller; her sister, Elizabeth Davis; special cousin, Maxine Anderson; a niece, nephews, other relatives and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Dan Perlberg; and daughter-in-law, Karen (Jaeschke) Perlberg.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Rhinelander Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. You may view Mary’s obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral.com.

Instead of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.