ARLINGTON, Wis. – Mary Ellen Mayer, 86, passed away Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital in Prairie du Sac, Wis.

She was born Dec. 4, 1926, in Goshen, Ind., the daughter of Ray and Helen Buck. She graduated from Ball State University and moved to Leaf River to teach high school English and biology. Mary Ellen met and married Donald Mayer in 1950, and lived on the Mayer family farm in Leaf River and Mount Morris townships. Don died in 1998, and she moved to Wisconsin to be nearer to her daughter.

Mary Ellen is survived by her children, Sue (Jim) Deuth of Arlington, Wis., and Brian (Kathy) Mayer of Dixon; grandchildren, Mike Deuth of Arlington, Bob Deuth of Appleton, Wis., Rachel (Jesse) Ramirez and Jeff Mayer, both of Chicago, and Elizabeth Mayer of Rock Island; two great-grandsons; sister, Caroline Irvin of Alexandria, Va.; sister-in-law, Jeanette (Al) Greisman of Loves Park; and nieces and nephews.