Mary Jane Fero

Mary Jane Fero, a skilled nurse, accomplished bridge player, and cherished mother who lived life with energy and stoicism, died peacefully on May 6, 2026. She was 99 years old.

Born November 20, 1926, in Wisconsin, Mary Jane Chlosta was the third child of Frank and Della (Eckhardt) Chlosta. She grew up in a close-knit family and was preceded by her brother Frank Jr., her sister Marjorie (Judson) Davis, and her husband, Wayne Fero. She is survived by her daughters Ann, Peggy, Jane Aldridge, and Susan (Tony) Harrington; grandchildren Sky (Missy) Davey, and Natalie Aldridge; great-grandchildren Analee, Cassandra (Jordan) Jackson, and Thyra Davey; great-great-grandchildren Aiden Jackson and Zavion; and nephews Greg (Melinda) Davis, Tim (Jean) Davis, and Tom Davis.

Mary Jane graduated from St. John’s School of Nursing in 1948, where she served as editor of the school paper, and soon passed her exams to become a registered nurse. During World War II, she worked with the Red Cross, caring for patients in the polio ward before the vaccine was developed. She married Wayne Fero on April 21, 1951 and together they raised four daughters. After taking time away from nursing to focus on her family, she returned to work as the health nurse at Neenah Paper, a division of Kimberly- Clark, where she remained until retirement.

Her life outside of work was rich with interests and friendships. An accomplished seamstress, she created custom clothing for her daughters and later turned her talents to home décor, sewing curtains, pillows, and even upholstering furniture. She was also an avid golfer and a regular at the KC fitness center in Neenah, staying active well into her later years.

But it was bridge that became her lifelong passion. Mary Jane played socially for years before embracing the challenge of duplicate bridge, earning the rank of Ruby Bridge Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. She served on boards, directed games, and traveled across the country for tournaments, often with a circle of friends who shared her enthusiasm for cards and camaraderie.

After Wayne’s death, Mary Jane began wintering in Fort Myers, Florida, where she enjoyed golf, bridge, and visits with her sister Marge. She renovated her Neenah home and lived there until age 96, when she moved to an independent living community in Grafton, WI making new friends and continuing her active social life.

Mary Jane’s story is one of resilience, curiosity and joy in connection – whether through nursing, family, or the friendships forged over a bridge table. Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured and the communities she enriched.

The family will receive friends at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 900 Geiger St., Neenah, WI from 10:30am until 11:30am on Saturday, June 6, 2026. A funeral liturgy will follow. Inurnment will take place at Calvary Cemetery, 920 North Ave., Sheboygan, WI. Ballhorn Funeral Home of Sheboygan is assisting the family.