In Loving Memory of Mary Kay Tamblyn
November 3rd, 1965 - August 30th, 2025
Mary Kay Tamblyn, beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Franklin, Wisconsin, surrounded by family. She was 59.

Mary was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin to parents Floyd & Vergene Brunke. She spent time living in Wisconsin, Florida, Indiana, Texas and Illinois, with most of her life being spent in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She began her career in real estate sales and obtained a business degree while working in the mortgage industry. Then she took on the role of at home mother, after long attempts to conceive, and then moving into the role of homeschool teacher with Peter, Katie and Anna. More recently she began a late life career of nursing, a longtime passion and calling since caring for her mother who was disabled from polio. After graduating with a nursing degree from Cardinal Stritch University in 2015, she persistently continued her education and received her BSN with honors from Chamberlain University in 2019. As a nurse she worked for Franklin Ascension Hospital as a Med-Surg floor nurse, her favorite, and then for MyChoice and Aurora South Point Clinic in triage.

Mary loved water; swimming, boat rides, and using a wave runner. She loved rabbits and had indoor pet rabbits like Buttons, Cocoa & Snickers. She loved time up north at a cabin and camping in State & National Parks where the family would swim, fish, hike and eat smores & tell stories around the campfire. She loved fish frys, competitive family game nights and music. One of the families favorite memories of her is finding her in the kitchen dancing and singing to her favorite songs. Concerts with her family were always a favorite pastime as well. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she amassed a large Fontanini collection she would keep up all year round if she had it her way (the family won out and usually it was taken down by Easter).

Mary will be loved and remembered:
As a woman with a strong faith. A couple of her favorite verses are Philippians 4:13 - For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength, and Isaiah 40:31 - They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
As a strong, persistent and woman with strong convictions. She would not shy away from talking politics or justice.
As someone who put others first. She had a caring, compassionate heart for her patients, and she offered friendship & encouragement to coworkers.
For how she enjoyed life's bunnies, camping, Spencer Lake Family Camp, cottage getaways, visits to state & national parks.
For how she enjoyed farm animals, otters, fishing, swimming, hot tubs, family time, cooking, grocery shopping, sitting in the back yard, and visits to museums in other cities
For her excitement looking forward to seeing and doing new things like going to concerts and driving a race car on the Milwaukee Mile.
For how she put caring for and helping others first, all with joy, a smile and laughter!

Mary was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her children Peter, Katie and Anna, and her husband Joe.

In keeping with Mary's giving spirit, the family requests that memorial donations be made in her name to either the American Cancer Society for cancer research or the National League for Nursing (NLN) Foundation for Nursing Education, which provides scholarships to nursing students - something close to Mary's heart. Donations can be made online at:
Donate Today | The American Cancer Society
Or
Make a Donation to NLN

The family invites you to celebrate Mary's life Saturday, September 20th at Discover Church.
Visitation begins at 9am
Celebration of Life service begins at 11am
Discover Church, in the Chapel
7311 S. 13th Street, Oak Creek WI
Please park in North parking lot and enter through Door 3