Marilyn L. Oestreich, 97 years of age, passed away Thursday, May 4th, 2023, at St. Agnes Hospital.

Marilyn was born April 30, 1926, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to the late Michael and Lillian (Wegforth) Bartelme. She was one of twelve children, all who preceded her in death. Marilyn loved to share stories of growing up with such a large family. She attended schools in the Manitowoc School District, and graduated from Lincoln High School.

Marilyn married the late Kenneth Oestreich on May 22, 1948, at St. John's Church, Manitowoc. Considering her sweet-tooth, it's no surprise that their first date was at Beerntsen's Confectionary in Manitowoc. The two made a home in Manitowoc before moving to Fond du Lac, with their two children, in 1965.

Marilyn enjoyed caring for those around her, and was a proud homemaker. She enjoyed her children, and loved watching them grow into adults. She cherished her daughter-in-law Mary, whom she always treated like another daughter.

When her grandchildren were born, they became her whole world. The four girls will forever remember the Friday night sleepovers that consisted of ice cream, TV shows and a giggly bedtime, followed by fresh blueberry muffins in the morning and playing in the living room. Marilyn was a constant supporter of the girls, and always provided a soft place to land no matter the circumstance.

As her family grew with her granddaughters' weddings, she was elated to add grandsons into the fold. Her great-grandchildren knew Marilyn to be the cuddly great-grandma that always had a lap to sit on, and arms to be held in. She loved to rock the new babies, watch the older kids play together, and read stories to them all.

Marilyn enjoyed teaching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all she knew. She was known by the family as The Supervisor-always ready to watch a job get done and give her approval, sharing any tips and tricks she had all the while. Supervising wasn't the only time she chatted, Marilyn enjoyed connecting with family and friends over the phone. She often had a pad of paper next to the phone that she would doodle beautiful patterns on as she chatted away with whomever was on the other side of the line. Those phone calls will be dearly missed.

Marilyn is survived by her son, Steve (Mary Rashid) Oestreich, Fond du Lac; her daughter, Susan Oestreich, Sun Prairie; four granddaughters, Jenny (Justin) Olesen, Angie (Mike) Petersen, Katie Oestreich, Elizabeth (Grant) Groeschel; seven great-grandchildren Jacob, Joshua, and Julia Olesen, Alex and Aaron Petersen, and Dorothy and Leland Groeschel; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, whom she would often share memories and stories of and missed dearly; her infant daughter, Kathleen; her seven brothers and four sisters, and their spouses.

Marilyn's family would like to give special thanks to Justin and Jenny Olesen. When Marilyn thought she may have to go into a nursing home when she was about 89 years old, Justin and Jenny moved in with her to provide in-home care. The love Marilyn provided others her whole life, was received back ten-fold in what can only be described as exceptional care--no doubt the reason she was with us for 97 years.

A visitation will be held at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, WI.

Memorials can be directed to Champions of Fond du Lac or Special Olympics.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com

Posted online on May 06, 2023

Published in Fond du Lac Reporter, Herald Times Reporter