Obituary for Maria C. Escalante
Maria C. Escalante, age 54 of the Town of Wescott, passed away Thursday evening, September 15, 2022, surrounded by her loving family at her home.
Maria was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin on June 24, 1968, a daughter of Anthony and Fay (Dodge) Waupochick. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Keshena and Menominee Indian High School where she was the salutatorian of her graduating Class of 1986. Following high school, Maria furthered her education at UW-Oshkosh earning a Bachelor of Science degree in History. She continued her education at UW-Milwaukee, earning a double Master’s Degree in Library Information Science as well as History.
Maria was employed as a project archivist at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in Madison. In 1994, she returned to the area and accepted a position at the Menominee Tribal School as the librarian. The last 25 years of her career were spent at the College of Menominee Nation where she established the library. In June, 2008, Maria became the Director of Library Services.
On April 27, 1996, Maria was united in marriage to Antonio Escalante in Shawano. The couple lived in Shawano County the past 26 years. Maria is a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena. She was an avid reader and an accomplished artist of beadwork. Maria enjoyed children immensely. She and Tony served as foster parents for over fifteen years, and Maria loved taking the kids on fun adventures to help them build good memories.
Survivors include her husband Antonio “Tony” Escalante of the Town of Wescott; their children, Nicole Escalante of Keshena, Vincent Escalante of Texas, and Ethan, Faith, Stuart, Jayden, Nekah, Elijah, and Brielle Escalante, all of Shawano; her parents, Anthony and Fay Waupochick of Keshena; her grandchildren, Riley, Taylor, Milena, Jaylen, Greyson, Roger, and Maverick; her brother, Anthony (Angela) Waupochick, Jr. of Keshena; her sister, Kateri Waupochick of Anchorage, Alaska; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Taylor Waupochick.
A Funeral Mass for Maria will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena. Father Hanz Christian will be the Celebrant. Burial will take place in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Keshena. Visitation will take place at the Fr. David Barrett Hall at St. Michael’s Catholic Church after 3:00 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, and continue until the final viewing at 9:30 am on Wednesday. A Parish Wake Service will be conducted Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm.
“The family extends a thank you to Dr. David Groteluschen and the Green Bay oncology staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their care and compassion, as well Maria’s aunt, Kathy, and her friend, Debbie Downs, for their help and support. We are grateful for all the prayers this past year.”
Maria was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin on June 24, 1968, a daughter of Anthony and Fay (Dodge) Waupochick. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Keshena and Menominee Indian High School where she was the salutatorian of her graduating Class of 1986. Following high school, Maria furthered her education at UW-Oshkosh earning a Bachelor of Science degree in History. She continued her education at UW-Milwaukee, earning a double Master’s Degree in Library Information Science as well as History.
Maria was employed as a project archivist at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in Madison. In 1994, she returned to the area and accepted a position at the Menominee Tribal School as the librarian. The last 25 years of her career were spent at the College of Menominee Nation where she established the library. In June, 2008, Maria became the Director of Library Services.
On April 27, 1996, Maria was united in marriage to Antonio Escalante in Shawano. The couple lived in Shawano County the past 26 years. Maria is a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena. She was an avid reader and an accomplished artist of beadwork. Maria enjoyed children immensely. She and Tony served as foster parents for over fifteen years, and Maria loved taking the kids on fun adventures to help them build good memories.
Survivors include her husband Antonio “Tony” Escalante of the Town of Wescott; their children, Nicole Escalante of Keshena, Vincent Escalante of Texas, and Ethan, Faith, Stuart, Jayden, Nekah, Elijah, and Brielle Escalante, all of Shawano; her parents, Anthony and Fay Waupochick of Keshena; her grandchildren, Riley, Taylor, Milena, Jaylen, Greyson, Roger, and Maverick; her brother, Anthony (Angela) Waupochick, Jr. of Keshena; her sister, Kateri Waupochick of Anchorage, Alaska; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Taylor Waupochick.
A Funeral Mass for Maria will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena. Father Hanz Christian will be the Celebrant. Burial will take place in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Keshena. Visitation will take place at the Fr. David Barrett Hall at St. Michael’s Catholic Church after 3:00 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, and continue until the final viewing at 9:30 am on Wednesday. A Parish Wake Service will be conducted Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm.
“The family extends a thank you to Dr. David Groteluschen and the Green Bay oncology staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their care and compassion, as well Maria’s aunt, Kathy, and her friend, Debbie Downs, for their help and support. We are grateful for all the prayers this past year.”