"I sit here today listening to the birds sing outside on my deck; the day is warm and sunny. I think of my family and friends on this journey with Lou Gehrig's disease. I thank my special niece, Lynn Gunderson, who comes every day to help me. If not for Lynn, I could not have stayed home. Lynn, what a gem you are!

"Thank you to my special friends, Dolly Hanna, Annie Amundson, Margie Brockway, Shirley Rude, Darlene Kaul, Laurie Wangen and Janet "Nuts" Kopp. It sure is fun having Beth Vrablic, Tom Guelzow and Scott Winston stopping by to visit. Thank you, Beth, for the beautiful quilt you made for me, and to Linda Knott, thank you for your friendship. What a wonderful family I have - special sisters-in-law Mary Lindner and Pam Lee and brothers-in-law Dave Fletty and Don Fletty (Toots)." - June 1, 2009.

Mary E. Fletty, 68, of Eau Claire passed away peacefully in her home Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009. She was in the loving care of family and friends.

Mary was born Nov. 10, 1940, in Eau Claire and baptized at Hope Lutheran Church. She attended school in the Eau Claire school district and graduated from Memorial High School in 1959. She married John Fletty on Dec. 30, 1960, in Eau Claire. Mary worked for the Eau Claire school district as a cook. "It was a pleasure to serve the kids and staff at Randall, Putnam Heights and Roosevelt schools. I love you all."

Mary was an avid Packers fan. She enjoyed camping with family and friends, fishing on Red Cedar Lake with her husband, John, gambling, and collecting and planting wild flowers.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Heidi (Tony) Bartlett of Rothschild, and son, Pete (Kristina) Fletty of Hewitt ("Dad and I are very proud of you both and proud of all of your accomplishments. Papa and I love you very much. Don't change a thing. Thank you, Tony and Kristina, for being part of our family."); her beautiful grandchildren, EmmaLee Joyce Bartlett, Joseph John Bartlett, Nathan Zachary Fletty and Ava Lee Fletty ("Gummy and Papa love you."); a sister-in-law, Pamela Lee; a niece, Kristin "Krisi" Fahrendorf (John); a nephew, John "Willie" Lee (Jenny); a grandniece, Megan Grace Lee; many friends, cousins, and other nephews and nieces.

Those with her in heaven are her husband, John ("The love of my life!"); Baby Boy Fletty; her wonderful parents John "Ounce" Lee and Bessie Lee; her brother, John "Bub" Lee ("You are the best."); grandparents, Albert and Ellen Hansen; an uncle, Don Hansen; an aunt, Owa and uncle Okie Sather; a niece, Kelly Ozolins (Fletty); a sister-in-law, Carol Fletty; brothers-in-law, Joe and Tom Fletty.

A memorial service will be noon Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at Hope Lutheran Church, Eau Claire.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church.

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is serving her family.

Mary's family would like to thank Northwest Wisconsin HomeCare, especially Christine, April and Diane S. for their wonderful TLC.

"Love you all, and I'll see you later."

In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts will be directed to ALS Association.

To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com.