Marilyn M. Spieth

Marilyn Mae Spieth, 83, of Appleton, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 11, 2024. Born on October 13, 1940, in Cochrane, Wi. Marilyn was the only child of Florence and Kermit Spieth. Marilyn attended elementary school and graduated from high school in Cochrane. Upon graduation, she attended The University of Wisconsin LaCrosse graduating with a degree in Math Education. She later attended the University of Wisconsin Superior graduating with a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling. She began her career teaching math in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Later she moved to Appleton accepting a position teaching math at Roosevelt Middle School. She later became the Dean of Girls at Appleton West High School for 19 years. She retired from the Appleton School District after spending 11 years as a guidance counselor at Einstein Middle/Junior High School.

Marilyn never ceased to amaze. Despite being diagnose with MS at 28, she took swimming lessons in her fifties. She learned to swim beginning with the tadpoles at the “Y”. She continued until she was eventually able to snorkel in the Caribbean and Hawaii. She took piano lessons also in her fifties and participated with all age groups in the recitals. Until her MS no longer allowed her to continue, she was very involved as an usher at the Appleton PAC. In the Appleton school district, she was a volunteer for United for Reading Success, where she not only helped 1st graders by reading but gave encouragement, hugs and high fives. She was involved in senior ministry and bible study as a long-time member of Faith Lutheran Church. Through her generosity the church got their first comfort dog, Hagar. Marilyn was known as Hagar’s God mother. She loved to have Hagar come to Rennes and visit. She also supported the efforts of Einstein Middle school to reinvigorate its garden and it is named in her honor as the “Marilyn M Spieth School and Community Garden”. 

Marilyn was awarded the “Outstanding Volunteer of the year” by First lady Laurie McCallum. Marilyn loved WI sports and watched the Brewers, the Packers and every high school sport on television. Terry was her personal guide to make certain she never missed one.

Marilyn is survived by numerous cousins. They shared many good times together and had endless stories to tell. Summers were spent on the farm, at the fair, the 4th of July parade and other family activities. 

Although Marilyn was never married, she was truly blessed with family. She is survived by her longtime friend Gail Bowers McKay and her family who adopted Aunt Marilyn. She considered Brett Bowers (Kristen) and their boys Reed and Drew, Jay Bowers (Janis) and their children Norah and Cole to be her “kids”. She loved them, and they loved her right back.

Marilyn introduced Gail to Terry McKay and three years later when they were married, she had another adopted family. They include Kelly (Amanda), Dan, Shannon (Amie), Molly (Adam) Casey (Karina), Chris (Sandy) and their extended families. They welcomed Marilyn with open arms. 

In addition, she was adopted by another amazing family, her long time neighbors the Semrau Family: Scott and Lisa and their children Tyler (Amiee) and Kayla (Chase). They were essential and supportive in helping Marilyn to stay in her house on Oklahoma Street. They provided daily assistance with a wide variety of tasks, and she was loved and cared for. 

She is also survived by numerous friends, neighbors and her AlAnon and AA communities.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Her families wish to thank Rennes Health and Rehab center for their devoted and loving care of Marilyn. When she moved in, she said “This is the last chapter of my life. I’m going to live here and die here.” She had more social life than most people outside of a nursing home. She went to every activity and loved them all playing bingo, Name That Tune, Trivia just to name a few. Winning supplied her with an endless number of delicious treats. When asked about Rennes, she’d say “I just love it here.” It was the staff who made that possible. Thank you just does not even begin to cover the gratitude, her families have for her great care. Thank you also to the Einstein 7th Grade Pay-It Forward Club whose members brought great joy to the people and activities at Rennes.

The Christian Funeral Service for Marilyn will be held at 4:00 PM on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church, located at 601 E. Glendale Avenue in Appleton. Rev Jim Wiebel will officiate, and she will be laid to rest next to her parents in Buffalo City Cemetery at 12:30 PM on Saturday. August 17.  Marilyn will lie in state at Faith Lutheran Church on Thursday from 2:00 PM until the hour of the service.

No flowers please. Instead consider a memorial in her name to the Faith Lutheran Comfort Dog Ministry, or the activities department at Rennes Health Care, or a charity of your choice.