For Mary Deeken, real estate has always been about people.

The Green Bay native spent the early part of her career in education, earning a degree in secondary education and English from UW Whitewater before teaching English and coaching dance at Mukwonago High School. She loved working with students, but over time, she realized her strengths aligned with a different path.

“I felt sales was such a better fit for me,” Mary shares. “Being part of a friend's real estate transaction, I absolutely fell in love with the process of buying a home. I’m a matchmaker at heart, this confession is matchmaking at its finest. I am a people pleaser, problem solver, and self motivated individual so it was the perfect fit.”

That realization led Mary into real estate in 1998, beginning a career built around helping others navigate some of life’s biggest transitions. More than two decades later, she continues to approach every transaction with the same personal investment that drew her to the industry in the first place.

Early in her real estate career, Mary was fortunate to connect with a relocation specialist who introduced her to Kohl’s Department Stores’ human resources department. That relationship helped her become the company’s relocation go-to person, creating a foundation for consistent production throughout her career.

Since entering the business, Mary has remained focused on building connections and delivering a high level of service. After spending 24 years with First Weber Realtors, she joined Keller Williams in 2024.

Mary says the move was driven by the company’s approach to supporting agents and embracing new opportunities.

“I love the cutting edge marketing and complete concern for the agent in and out of real estate that Keller Williams provides,” she explains.

Although many agents choose to work as part of a team, Mary proudly remains an individual agent. She believes that staying personally involved in every step of the process allows her to provide a more meaningful experience for her clients.

“I am an individual agent and the champion of such an entity!” Mary says. “I love being part of every aspect. I don’t even have a transaction coordinator. I do it all so that my clients know that I am fully invested with this important transaction in their lives from beginning to end.”

Mary’s dedication has earned recognition throughout her career, including being featured in Forbes for having 16 years as a five-star agent. Still, she measures success differently.

“I rarely know how my numbers compare to others. I just keep my head down and continue to help my people,” she says.

Outside of real estate, Mary’s life is filled with opportunities to teach, lead, and inspire. In 2010, she founded Sparklers Dance when her daughter was five years old. The studio provides an economical yet highly competitive resource for dancers in and around the Sussex area.

Mary also serves as the head coach of the Hamilton High School Dance Team, which became state champions in 2025. In addition, she is pursuing a master’s degree in leadership from UW Madison.

Leadership has been a consistent theme throughout Mary’s life. She credits her parents, both entrepreneurs, for shaping the way she approaches work and service.

“They were happy, self deprecating, and highly motivated, but not for money for helping people,” Mary says. “I have picked up all of those qualities!”

Her family continues to inspire her. Mary has been married to her supportive husband for 25 years. Her son, Davis, graduated from UW Madison and now works in Los Angeles as a commercial real estate investment banker. Her daughter, Harper, is a senior at UW Madison studying dance and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

For Mary, the most rewarding part of real estate comes from solving problems and guiding people through uncertainty.

“Solving problems is a vital part of real estate,” she says. “Sometimes you have to deliver bad news. I rip off the Band-Aid and bring my positive attitude back in to issues.”

Through challenges, Mary relies on patience and persistence.

“Frequently I say just trust the process— it’ll all work out and it does,” she shares.

Her advice to others entering the industry reflects the same mindset that has carried her through decades of success.

“Don’t wallow in rejection— it is a part of this business. You just have to push on.”

With a career centered on relationships, leadership, and service, Mary continues to embrace every opportunity to make a difference.

Her message is simple: “If it’s a home you’re seekin’, call Mary Deeken.”