Marilyn E. Corning

Marilyn E. Corning passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on March 14, 2013, at Brewster Village in Appleton. Marilyn was born in Oconto, Wisconsin on June 4, 1923, to Wesley and Ora (Pfeiffer) Mills. After high school, she attended Business School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and upon graduation she worked in Milwaukee during WWII. She met her future husband, Russ, on a blind date. They both knew immediately that they were meant to be together. On December 26, 1946, she married her lifelong partner, Russ Corning. Marilyn was a loving, caring, and supportive wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Marilyn was a very talented and organized individual. Her husband's job often required traveling, so Marilyn was in charge of the “home front.” She made sure everything and everyone was well taken care of. Marilyn was an excellent cook, and there was always a home cooked meal waiting for us at the end of our days, which always included something sweet for dessert. Her pies, cakes, and cookies were the reward for “cleaning your plate.”

When her children got older, she took a job at K-Mart. Marilyn worked there for almost 20 years before retiring in 1982. Upon retirement she and Russ moved to New Port Richey, Florida and lived there until returning to the Appleton area in 2003. During this time, they enjoyed the “best of both worlds,” spending 8 months in Florida and 4 months at their cottage on Post Lake. Russ and Marilyn returned to the Appleton area to be close to their family. They moved to Fox River Senior Living in 2010, where Marilyn resided until her death.

Marilyn loved to read, travel, and visit with friends and family. She and Russ went on many trips and cruises after their retirement. They got to see the world together. We all will miss her smile and her stories about the “old days.” But most of all, we will simply miss her presence among us. Marilyn had a wonderful life, and we will sincerely miss her. But we are comforted that she and Russ only had to spend 9 months apart, and they are once again together, like they were meant to be.

Marilyn is survived by four children: Robert (Mary) Corning of Appleton, Wisconsin; Kathy (Richard) Kopelke of Appleton, Wisconsin; Nancy (Gary) Moeller of Navarino, Wisconsin; and Karen (Paul) Wydeven of McFarland, Wisconsin. She is further survived by her siblings: Sue (Marv) Koerner of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Bill (Pat) Mills of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren: Laura (Garry) Woltman, Katherine (Cody) Roche, Molly (Greg) Aron, Rick Kopelke, Brian Kopelke, Scott Kopelke, Jenny (Ben) Eller, Robin (Ron) Neilson, Ross Wydeven, and Laura Wydeven; 10 great-grandchildren: Christopher, Kristy, Tony, Blake, Nathaniel, David, Joe, Sam, Alexis, and Charlie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; parents, Wesley and Ora (Pfeiffer) Mills; Russell's parents, Chester and Renee (Apker) Corning; a brother, James Mills; and a brother-in law, Stanley Burmeister.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2013, at WICHMANN TRI-COUNTY CHAPEL, 3212 S. Oneida Street, Menasha with Rev. Lynn Spencer-Smith officiating. A time of visitation will be held at the Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Marilyn's name.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Brewster Village for the compassionate care they provided Marilyn. Their attention to the needs of both Marilyn and our family was very much appreciated. We will always remember your kindness. We would also like to thank the staff at Fox River Senior Living for their love and support of Russ and Marilyn during their time there.