Mary Lapotka died peacefully on September 2, 2014 at the age of 94. She was born in Nottingham England. She lived a full life, with many fascinating challenges and opportunities. She operated a lathe to build anti-aircraft guns that were used during the Battle of Britain. She married Lieutenant John Lapotka who was sent to England with the U.S. 82nd Airborne to carry out the D-Day invasion. Together, they went to Berlin as part of the military occupation. She baked cookies for German orphans.


Mary moved to America in 1946 and eventually settled in Madison. She traveled all over the world, but her favorite place was her little cottage on Lynx Lake in Presque Isle, WI She could identify every flower, most every bird, and she had a name for every chipmunk. She was forever grateful to the cottage because she saw it as a lovely place, that joined together all of our family and friends.


She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, John Lapotka. She is survived by her sons, David Lapotka and his wife Debbie, Gary Lapotka and his wife Linda, and Gerald Lapotka; her grandsons, James Lapotka and his wife Carol Lynn, and Joe Lapotka and his wife Katherine; her great-granddaughter Corra Mary Lapotka and her great-grandson Johnnie Lapotka.


We will remember her as a loving and caring mother and friend.