Alisha "Ali" Marie Beranek

Alisha “Ali” Marie (Schulte) Beranek, 39, of Mosinee, entered eternal rest in the peace of Christ, surrounded by her family, on December 20, 2025, after enduring cancer with remarkable courage, strength, and grace.

Ali was born on September 3, 1986, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, the beloved eldest child of Cheryl (Fry) and Terry Schulte. She spent her early childhood in Waunakee, a suburb of Madison, where she attended kindergarten, before her family settled in Mosinee. Ali attended St. Paul’s Catholic School through eighth grade and went on to graduate from Mosinee High School in 2005.

Ali’s athletic talent became evident early on. After watching her compete in an eighth-grade track and field meet, the Mosinee High School girls’ track coach recognized her natural ability. In high school, Ali discovered a true love for track and field, excelling in competition and embracing the discipline and camaraderie of the sport.

During the fall of her freshman year, Ali met her future husband, Matthew “Matt” Beranek. Their love story began in high school and continued to grow over the years. On May 29, 2010, Ali married her high school sweetheart at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Waunakee. Together, they built a beautiful life and welcomed two children: their son, Blake Matthew, in 2011, and their daughter, Ella Marie, in 2014. Their family was made complete with the addition of their German Shepherd, Rey, who was by Ali’s side, even during her time in palliative care at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

A natural caregiver and the oldest of four siblings, Ali felt deeply called to care for others. She pursued nursing studies at Herzing University in Madison and worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including Prairie Garden Assisted Living, Waunakee Manor Assisted Living, St. Mary’s Hospital, and St. Clare’s Hospital prior to her diagnosis. Ali also had a passion for photography. She founded Ali B Photography, where she captured weddings, families, and children for a short period of time. Her real love for photography was when she was capturing memories of family, friends, trips, and landscaping. She had a picture for every moment because she never wanted to miss or forget the beautiful and perfect life she had.

In September 2018, less than two weeks after her 32nd birthday, Ali was diagnosed with stage IV non–small cell lung adenocarcinoma, with metastases to the brain, kidney, and bone. Though initially given a prognosis of 18 months, Ali faced her diagnosis with relentless determination, persevering for seven years, three months, and two days.

Above all else, Ali loved her life and cherished her family. She found joy in reading, peonies, landscaping, birds, and being outdoors. She enjoyed Downton Abbey, Starbucks hot white chocolate mochas, and had a fascination with marine life. Ali and Matt shared a love of traveling, creating precious memories together around the world. Her favorite destinations included the breathtaking landscapes of Peru; the beauty of Banff in Alberta, Canada; fishing with her dad on Press Lake Camp in Ignace, Ontario, Canada; Mom, sister, and Ella trip to Waco, Texas to visit Chip and Joanna Gaines Magnolia Store, and treasured family vacations to Okaloosa Island on Florida’s Emerald Coast.

Christmas was Ali’s favorite holiday, and her family was committed to bringing Christmas to her in her final days. Music filled her hospital room as twinkling lights glowed from a tabletop Christmas tree adorned with her most loved ornaments. Surrounded by her husband, children, parents, siblings, grandma, in-laws, and extended family, Ali was wrapped in the warmth, love, and joy that defined her life.

Ali will be remembered for her strength, her compassion, her creativity, and the deep love she shared so freely. She had an infectious smile that brought happiness to everyone’s heart. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and in the family she loved so completely. She was everyone's best friend.

Ali is survived by her loving husband of 15 years, Matt; her children, Blake and Ella; her dog, Rey; parents, Cheryl (Fry) and Terry Schulte; siblings, Kiley (David) Scherer, Jordan (Paige) Schulte, Micaela (Ryan) Hertz, Rachel (Joshua) Karlen; parents-in-law, Cindy (Maly) and Rick Beranek; sister-in-law, Jennifer Beranek; nieces and nephews, Isabella, Owen Henry, Nolan, Bennett, Rayne, Kyzer, Jayce and Bhodi; maternal grandparent, Jean (Alan) Hanko; and grandmother-in-law, Lorraine Maly.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Marlene and Everett Schulte; maternal grandfather, Richard Fry; and her beloved dog, Obi.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, December 29, 2025, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. Father Aaron Becker will officiate. Burial will take place in St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, from 4:00 p.m., until 7:00 p.m., and will resume Monday, from 9:00 a.m., until the time of the service, all at the church. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.