Mary Ellen Salewski passed away peacefully Thursday, September 15, 2022, five days short of her 95 Birthday, in her hometown of Amery, Wisconsin.

Mary Ellen was born September 20, 1927, in Madison, Wisconsin to Jrene (Reithmeyer) and Keith Karl Ford.

Baby Mary and her parents lived with Jrene’s parents, John and Tillie Reithmeyer while Keith Ford finished his training to become a medical doctor. Dr.K.K. Ford moved his family to Amery, Wisconsin in the fall of 1935 to start a medical practice with Dr. Waterman. Mary Ellen graduated from the Amery High School in 1945 and married Niles Framsted in October of 1945. They took over the Framsted Family farm in Volga, north of Amery. While learning what it takes to be a farmer’s wife, Mary often put on her leathers and rode behind Niles on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. They went on several trips around the state. Then they started their family of nine children. Mary was a fabulous homemaker. She had a huge perennial border in the front yard and hosted many family reunions and picnics. To feed so many people she raised chickens to butcher, maintained a large vegetable garden and was continually baking and canning. The local farmers helped each other thresh their oats and they knew they would eat good at Mary’s table. She would fix fried chicken, from the hen house, mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables from the garden. Dessert was always chocolate cake! Mary found time for her other talents also. She was an active member of the Homemakers club and sang in the county Choir. She loved bowling with the other farm wives, and she even took art lessons and Rosemaling with her best friend Bethane Sommers. Mary made sure that all her children developed their talents and skills by driving them to 4-H, community and school sporting practices and events, swimming lessons, music lessons and of course Catechism. In the late 50’s Mary helped Niles run the Amery Speedway. She ran the” Pop Stand” selling hot dogs, popcorn, candy and making sloppy joes every week. When the older children were old enough to take care of the younger ones, she waitressed at Paradise on Balsam Lake. She also worked at Fabri-tex for a few years then was an aide at Golden Age Manor. When her back went out she worked as a nanny for families in the Cities during the 80’s. She was divorced from Niles Framsted in 1975. In February of 1990, she married Werner Salewski of Osceola, WI. Mary and Werner traveled far and wide. Mary snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, floated down the Rhine and drove the back roads of Ireland and Germany all with Werner. They made their winter home in Mesa, Arizona where Mary learned to golf and lead aerobic exercises in the pool, create jewelry in the silver shop, made cheese boards in the woodshop, played in numerous card groups, and always tried to beat Werner in Cribbage. Werner passed in 2006 but Mary continued to go to Mesa, staying active with swimming, cards and going to the sewing room. Mary’s greatest love was her family and grandchildren, showering them with quilts and baked goods. Family gatherings always included singing, playing cards and a good game of “Rummikub”. In her later years, Mary loved to quilt and took great pride in the beautiful quilts she put together in her basement quilting studio. She enjoyed traveling to all the local quilt shops in the area, they will miss her. Mary loved company and always had baked goods to share. All were welcome at her table. Preceding Mary Ellen in death were her parents Jrene and Dr. K.K. Ford, first husband Niles Framsted, second husband Werner Salewski, son-in-law Michael Morrissey, daughter in-law Monica Schleip, and daughter June Hendricks (Framsted).

Mary Ellen leaves behind sister Jane (Jack) O’Brien of Eagle River, WI; sister Jo Ford (Sheryl Neibur) of Lake Elmo, MN; and brother John (Pat) Ford of Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

She is survived by eight children, Beth (Scott) McLeod of Cumberland, Thomas Framsted of Amery, Brother-in-law Bruce Hendricks of Luck, John (Diane) Framsted of Byron, MN; Richard (Linda) Framsted of Amery, Scott (Mary) Framsted of Fairview Heights, Ill; Carrie Framsted of Grand Marais, MN; Jill (Keith) Hannula of Hudson, and Jo Nelson of St Paul, MN; Eighteen grandchildren, 31 great Grandchildren and 2 Great Great- grandchildren. Step-children Monika (Mark) Jensen of Roberts, WI; Thomas (Sheri) Salewski of Osceola, Alan Salewski of Arizona, Barb (Robert) Hugo of Osceola and Michael (Renae) Salewski of Osceola.

Mary’s last words were good advice for all “Take care of your Family”.

A visitation will be held Friday, September 23, 2022 at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, WI from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral service will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be from 10 to 11:00 am, preceding the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, a donation will be made to Mary’s favorite charity interests; donate.wi.als.org and a local Breast cancer organization “Party for a Lifetime”-Sandy Lundquist organizer.

Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery.

Last Update: Sep 20, 2022 3:24 pm CDT