Obituary of Molesha Courtney Fuglestad

Molesha "Molly" Courtney (Mason) Fuglestad (age 39) entered eternal life on May 5th, 2016 surrounded by her family and close friends after an inspiring six year struggle with breast cancer. Her spirit is carried on by her husband, three children, parents, brother, and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Molly during her 39 years. She taught us about true love. The love she shares with "her rock", Darin, never wavered. They are proof that opposites attract, the perfect balance, his quiet strength and her lively spunk. She taught us about a mother's love. Molly's children were the light of her life. She was 100% focused on their emotional well-being, their education, and their establishment of strong family values. "You're a Fuglestad", is something she said daily to them to encourage them to be respectful, kind, and loving. As with all aspects of Molly's life, having fun with her children was a top priority. Molly was fiercely proud and supportive of her kids and could be found screaming on the sidelines of the soccer field, volunteering in their classrooms, and being an active member of Lake Mills Elementary PTO. She taught us that courage is more than showing up to weekly chemotherapy. It's taking your kids to school in the morning when you barely have the energy to get out of bed. It's chairing school fundraisers, coaching soccer, creating the perfect kid's birthday party - it's leading an extraordinary life, leaving a legacy for your family. Her courage was also pushing the limits of treatment and knowing when to walk away. She taught us about determination. She faced cancer the same way she did most obstacles in life. Assessed what she wanted and did everything in her power to achieve it. Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee - check, adoring husband - check, beautiful children - check, fulfilling speech therapy career first at Roosevelt Elementary in Janesville and then Belmont Nursing and Rehabilitation in Madison - check, and not allowing cancer to dictate her life - double check. She taught us that fashion was always important - chemo day, no hair, date night, country music concert, or tourist. She would have the perfect outfit down to the trendiest accessory. She even made cowboy hats look good backwards. She taught us how to have enthusiasm for life - whether it was jumping out of airplanes, soaring in hot air balloons over Napa, or trying to barefoot waterski behind a boat - you could count on Molly to be living in the moment with pure joy written all over her face. She taught us the value of having "a happy place" - whether it's a place to feed your soul alone or with family and friends. Molly's happy place was Rock Lake. She taught us not to wait. She insisted on her time with her family on the beaches in Mexico, skiing in Colorado, road trips to far off places, and passing on her passion for waterskiing. She vowed to create memories to last a lifetime. She taught us that words are important. She eloquently opened her heart in her writings. She had a way of putting her truth out into the universe that allowed people to understand her struggles, her triumphs, her pain, and how she chose to live in spite of all of that. She taught us to smile. Her performance smile was created by the Rock Aqua Jays waterski team during her adolescence. Her megawatt smile served her well through the years at bars with boys (pre-Darin), at work with patients - a comforting glow, in any room she entered - a welcoming sparkle reflected to friends and strangers alike. She taught us to be real. She was stubborn, or as she would say, she was always right. Sometimes that meant choice words or being stared down when she didn't approve. You never questioned where you stood with her, she always made that perfectly clear. She taught us about the importance of friendship and family. Molly was like that friend or daughter that everyone wished they had. Fun, spunky, and adventurous. It didn't matter if you knew her a lifetime or only met her once, she made you feel special, important, and loved. She never took for granted all the little moments and unconditional support she received from her parents and her mother in law. The strength of Molly's Army is evidence of her loving spirit. Molly's impact on others is truly immeasurable. She inspired and changed the lives of people that she never even met. Molly felt such a love for the medical staff at Pro-Health Cancer Center. The staff lived her journey with her, by her side supporting and loving her through it all. A special shout-out to Dr. Johnson and his team - your connection was Molly's saving grace. Molly is survived by husband, Darin; children Mason, Michael, and Annalyse; her parents Richard (Rick) and Mary-Lynne (Quandt); her brother Ryan; mother in law Sharon (Doug Marcelini); brothers in law Loren (Deb); Kevin; sisters in law Shari Olson (Bob); Shauna; Erin Joanis (Jason) and many nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten. Molly was preceded in death by father in law Norman Fuglestad; grandparents Courtney and Arlene Quandt; Florence and Raymond Mason. A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 14, 2016 at 11:00am at First Lutheran Church 612 N. Randall Avenue, Janesville, WI 53545. The church will be open one hour prior to the service to view her amazing life in images; however there will be no visitation. Per Molly's wishes following the service there will be a party to celebrate her life starting at 3:30pm near her happy place, Korth Park W8930 Korth Lane, Lake Mills, WI 53551. In Molly's memory donations may be made to the Fuglestad Family Fund at Fort Community Credit Union 100 N. Main Street, Jefferson, WI 53549.