Louise B McCray

Louise is survived by her husband Patrick Dale McCray, her son Jeffrey Berggren, her daughter-in-law Dawn Berggren, her two grandsons Casey Berggren and Trevor Berggren, her two stepdaughters Kathryn McCray and Margaret Bradley, stepson Michael McCray, as well as sister Marcia Swinehart, brother Robert Reuter, niece Melinda Swinehart Vetto, and nephews Michael Swinehart, Bryon Reuter, and Eric Reuter. Her nephew Steven Swinehart preceded her.

Louise, the first child of Lois Marie Reuter and Clarence John Reuter, was born in Oak Park, IL, and raised in the Chicago area. Louise did synchronized swimming with the Mermaid Mamas at the Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines, IL, when she was 32 and continued into her 50's. The Mermaid Mamas and their families became a very large extended family enduring across generations (holidays, weddings, surprise 50th birthday parties, eventually funerals).

When Louise and Patrick married they made their first home in Evanston, IL. Louise loved camping. In 2001, while camping on Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, she and her husband found a wonderful little house on the Island in the town of LaPointe, WI. Originally it was to be a vacation home, but soon became where she spent most of her time.

Louise graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL with a B.A. in Art. She amazed people with her fine sense of color. She devoted herself to painting watercolors of the seasons on the island. Louise was able to continue her work with pottery there, too. Immersing herself in island life, she became very active in the community. She served on the Board of the Madeline Island Library. She participated in the life of St. John's United Church of Christ, first as a Reader, then Treasurer, and eventually as President of the Congregation.

Louise and Patrick celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary May 7, 2023, by having dinner at The Pub on Madeline Island. Louise kept her memories of that evening with her until the end.