Mareta Mae (Winkler) "Reta" Kapitzke

Mareta Kapitzke, age 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 20, 2021. She was born June 12, 1930 in Waupaca, WI, the daughter of Laurence and Edna (Dawes) Winkler. Mareta attended a one room school for 8 years followed by Waupaca High School. She married Harold Kapitzke in 1949 and had 5 children. She held various positions throughout her life, retiring at the age of 82. She was a cook, bartender, bar owner, bus driver, RV park manager, and receptionist at Rennes Health Center. She also ran the community room and enjoyed calling bingo, organizing potlucks and cookouts, and bringing entertainment in for the folks living in her apartment building.

Mareta loved being with people and was always willing to help someone out or care for them. Playing bingo was a passion of hers, along with casinos, camping, fishing, bird watching, playing the organ, singing and doing puzzles. She was also known for her enthusiastic ‘Humstrum’ playing.

Mareta is survived by 3 daughters, Judy Merrill, Brenda (Scott) Van Dinter, Lisa (Jerry) Chosa; 1 son, Brian Kapitzke; 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 3 sisters, Betty Sanders, Ramona Metz, Patricia (Ron) Cook and 1 brother, Harold (Mary) Winkler.  She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. There are many dear friends, especially her long time best friend Gigi Balthazor.

Mareta is preceded in death by her parents, daughter Shirley (Kapitzke) Kosmerchock, brother Jim, brother’s-in-law Jack Sanders and Roger Metz.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 11am at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton, WI 54911. Visitation will be from 10 to 11am. At 1pm a lunch will be served at John Fischer Manor, 330 E First Ave, Appleton.  Final Rest will be private.

“The laughter you gave us is stilled. There is now an empty place in our lives which never can be filled. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you on the day you went home. In our memory you are with us as you always were before. We Love you and you will be deeply missed.” Love, your family.

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