Mary Elizabeth Tandberg was born on September 17, 1946, to Alvin and Thora Tandberg, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She had two older sisters, Barbara (Ekins) and Susan (Kastner). She graduated from Divine Savior in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1964, and then obtained her LPN from Sacred Heart School of Nursing. She moved to the east side, a famous resident of Cramer Street, working at St. Mary’s Hospital as a nurse, and bartending at the YNOT. She started her career with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin, and after marrying Danny, she had two daughters, Tammy (Tandberg) and Maribeth (Schaefer). They divorced but remained parents and friends until his death. She also loved being an aunt to her eight nieces and nephews, a loving friend and chosen family member for friends, coworkers, church, and many connections made through the girls.
Mary relocated to Columbia, South Carolina in 2002, finishing her career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. She was joined by many friends and family from Wisconsin over the years, and built a village there with her good friend, and daughters by her side. She was so proud of the home she established, especially her pool, which she welcomed so many to enjoy. She became a grandma to Jas (2005) and Sam (2008), and it was one of her greatest joys being with them next door and sharing the yards and pool for many years. She retired in 2013 and enjoyed her pool and retirement thoroughly. She moved back to Wisconsin in 2022 and loved being close to her family in the area. She passed away on January 25th, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her sister Barbara Ekins, brother-in-law John Kastner, Sr and close friend Beverly Zabler. She is survived by her sister Susan Kastner, brother-in-law John Ekins, daughters Tammy Tandberg (Jeff O’Dell) and Maribeth Schaefer (Ryan Schaefer), grandchildren Jas and Sam Schaefer, close friends Cindy Donahoe and Sarah Weltzein, and partner in crime Jan Stemplewski.
To know Mary was to be invited into her humor and fun. She loved singing in the choir at St. Elizabeth’s, leading her Customer Service team with Compcare and helping with plays and costumes at Mother of Good Counsel. She loved camping in Upson and Ottawa Lake, and going to the beach in Edisto Island, SC. She was so proud of her daughters, and cherished being an aunt, friend and village member. She will be remembered for bringing many people together and leading with love and laughter.
Please join us for a celebration of life at 5:00 PM on Friday January 31st, at Alioto’s Restaurant, 3041 North Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. We will be having a short service to share memories and fun stories, and then dinner to follow at 6:15.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to National Public Radio in her honor, either to your local station or through .