Marilyn M. Nowak

Marilyn M. Nowak, age 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 3, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.  Marilyn was born in the Township of Hortonia on October 14, 1927 to the late Edwin and Mabel (Wing) Meinhardt. She grew up on her parent’s cheese factory, where she learned the value of hard work.  She graduated from New London High School in 1945.  Her education continued with cosmetology school, graduating in 1946, and a ward clerk certification from FVTC in 1978.  Her working career consisted of being a beautician, working in nursing homes, and a variety of sales positions.  She married Frank (Sonny) C. Nowak on September 10, 1949.  They enjoyed 61 years of marriage until Frank’s passing in 2010.  Together they had four daughters.  Her girls and their happiness meant everything to her.  She was a wonderful mom and knew the importance of a well-balanced meal.

Marilyn enjoyed Scrabble, Jeopardy, reading, sewing, needlepoint, cross stitch, scrap booking, current events, and shopping.  She loved coffee, Halloween, and owls.  She had many life-long friendships.  Mom will be remembered for being strong, honest, and responsible.  She instilled these values in her four daughters.  And…she was known for correcting people’s grammar.

Marilyn is survived by her daughters Cheryl (Richard) Tietz; Joni (Dave Wegner) Nowak and their children Graham (Jennifer) Wegner and Brent (Lindsay Fischbach) Wegner; Sue (Jamie) Zemlock and their children Krystal (Bryan) Krug and Camren (girlfriend Shaina Carlson) Zemlock; Lori (Scott) Weyenberg and their daughter Brooke.  She is further survived by her great grandchildren Kenley, Kolton, Benjamin, Scotland, and Charlotte, her sister Carol (Jim) Madge and numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, her infant sister Dorothy Jean, her brother Leroy and his wife Florence Meinhardt, brother-in-law Jerry Callies and many other relatives.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Wichmann Funeral Home (537 North Superior Street, Appleton) beginning at 12:00 PM until time of memorial service at 1:00 PM.

Thank you to the staff at Willow Lane Assisted Living and Compassus Hospice for their compassionate care of our Mom.

As Mom always said, “Be Happy, Be Healthy and Be Good” and “Bye for Now.”