Mary M. Gereau, age 73, of Galena, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at her home.  To honor Mary’s life, private family services were held.  Burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street is assisting Mary’s family.

Mary was born on April 25, 1950, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Donald J. and Mary V. (Anderson) Hesselman Sr.

Mary graduated from Wahlert Catholic High School, Class of 1968.  Mary was employed as a teacher’s aide for special needs children in Barrington Hills, Illinois.  She was very fortunate to be able to retire at a young age and enjoy her free time.  She was married to David Hardin on December 12, 1969, in Dubuque.  They had a son together before deciding to go their separate ways in 1978.  She later married Dale Gereau on April 24, 1981, in Kane County, Illinois, but sadly they divorced in 2015.  Mary liked the simple things in life like cooking, gardening and talking to her family and friends on the phone.  She truly loved her home and her community in Galena and enjoyed keeping up on all the latest events.  Mary was always excited about spending time with her family, especially when it revolved around getting together and cooking.  She participated in the Chili Cookoff several times in Dubuque, Wingfest and making snacks for Superbowl parties was always an event.  Mary also liked spending time at her hobby farm near Dodgeville, Wisconsin.  Mary was one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all of her family and friends.

Those left to cherish Mary’s memory include

her son,
David (Dawn) Hardin Jr., Fallon, NV;

her granddaughter,
Renee Allred, Elko, NV;

a great-granddaughter,
Olivia Garcia;

her siblings,
Don (Gwen) Hesselman,
Steve (Becky) Hesselman,
Mark Hesselman,
Mike (Terri) Hesselman,
Tony (Jill) Hesselman,
Ann (Dave Heller) Volkert,
Julie (Dave) Nauman
and Jane Scarlino, all of Dubuque, IA;

many nieces and nephews;

and her former husbands,
David Hardin Sr., Manchester, IA
and Dale Gereau, Connecticut.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hesselman.

Mary’s family would like to thank her wonderful neighbor, Joan Wallace, for being a great friend to Mary these past years.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Mary’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Mary Gereau Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com