Margaret A. Schnese

Margaret Anita Schnese (nee Kuemmel), peacefully fulfilled her life’s journey on March 29, 2025. Marge was born the fifth child of Frank G. Kuemmel and Margaret (Philippi) Kuemmel on March 19, 1937, in Milwaukee, WI. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History from Dominican College in Racine, WI, and earned 32 graduate credits towards a Master’s Degree in Education and School Administration from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.

Marge dedicated her life to teaching / school administration, spending 34 years in the educational field. She taught mainly Middle and Junior High classes in Kaukauna, WI; Milwaukee, WI; and Racine, WI. She was also school administrator in Kimberly, WI and Verona, WI. Many of her teaching years were then spent at Fox Valley Technical College, where she worked both with teenagers seeking a High School Equivalency Diploma (QUEST) and with Adult Learners. Teaching was her passion, and the most fulfilling and rewarding years were spent at Fox Valley Technical College, working with high school students for whom a regular high school was not an option. During those years, Marge also co-authored and English textbook, specifically used at FVTC for returning adults who needed to refresh their English grammar and writing skills for a new job or to further their education.

After retiring from FVTC in 2005, Marge volunteered as a receptionist at St. Mary Parish in Appleton, serving in this position for the next 18 years. She also dedicated many hours assisting several elderly people with shopping, appointments, etc., and always enjoyed listening to their life stories and memories.

Marge respected and loved all of nature, especially animals, trees, and water. She provided a caring and loving home over theyears for her beloved cats, Smokey, Tigger, Tyke, and Molly.

She is survived by her children, Mary (Travis) Bersch, Lisa (Jeff) Desens and their daughters, Brynn and Carsen, Tim (Kristen) Schnese, and Pam (Dan) Kotar and their daughter, Sheila. She is also survived by 31 nieces and nephews, many grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as her many treasured friends.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Larry Schnese; her parents, Frank and Margaret Kuemmel; her siblings, Frank (Joy) Kuemmel, Mary (John) Collentine, Pat Walker, and James Kuemmel; as well as six nieces and two nephews.

A funeral visitation will be held for Margaret from 8:30 – 10:30 AM on Monday, April 7, 2025 at St. Mary Parish, 312 S State St, Appleton, WI 54911 with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 AM, officiated by Fr. Bill Swichtenberg and Dcn. Gerry Schraufnagel. Margaret will be laid to rest at St. Mary Cemetery in Appleton, WI.

In lieu of flowers, please perform extra acts of kindness to someone or, if you prefer, give a memorial to either St. Mary Parish in Appleton, WI; Neenah Animal Shelter in Neenah, WI; or Fox Valley Human Association in Appleton, WI.

I wish to gratefully thank my dear family and friends for enriching my life with your presence, love, and support. Thank you for the bright sunshine you brought into my life.