It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Ellen Engebretson, born on May 8th, 1946 in Shawno, Wisconsin to Joseph and Goldie (Starfeldt) Babino. She passed away peacefully on April 16th, 2023 in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, surrounded by her family.

Mary was a chef in the Merchant Mariner industry for several years - it was there she met James Engebretson, who she would later marry. In retirement she kept herself busy doing crafts, sewing, playing slots at the casino and cooking. Puppies, jewelry, flowers, and butterflies brought her joy. She was known to have a slight shopping obsession, and would often wear her family members out at the store, trying to keep up with her and her full cart.

Mary had an infectious bubbly personality that made it easy for her to help anyone out whom she encountered. She was especially fond of gift-giving to show how much she cared about the people around her. Most of all, Mary loved nothing more than time with her grandbabies; they were the light of her life.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents and her sister, Sandy.

She is survived by her children, Julie Mejia, Robert (Melinda) Clark Jr., Denise Jackson (Brian), Beth Williams and Stacey Brown (Roger); her grandchildren, Ashley, Amber, Aaron, Phillip, Peanut, Robert III, James, Zach, Steven, Brittany, Jasmine and JoJo; numerous great-grandchildren, including Skyler, Brian, Isabella, Hailey, Benjamin, Addison, William, Isaac, Grace, Kahaya, Bella, Marle, Aiden, Mana, Kama, Noah and Cam; and her siblings Carl, John, Rose and Jerome Babino.

We will miss Mary’s kind-hearted spirit as well as her ever-present smile. She will never be forgotten.

Last Update: May 09, 2023 10:13 am CDT