Marilyn A. Neuenschwander passed away on Monday evening, Aug. 3, with her children at her side. She was 89 years old.
She was born July 27, 1937, in Milwaukee, the daughter of John and Clara (Gertsch) Klessinger. The family relocated to Monroe when she was six years old after her father took a job at the Joseph Huber Brewing Co., and she has been a Monroe resident since then. She was a 1955 graduate of Monroe High School.
Marilyn was employed by Green County for many years, working in the highway department and county clerk’s office before she was elected Green County Register of Deeds in 1991, a position she was re-elected to for five subsequent two-year terms before retiring in 2003. Prior to that, she was employed at Utelco for many years.
She married Delbert L. Neuenschwander – the love of her life – on Sept. 4, 1960, at St. John’s United Church of Christ. Soon after, the couple moved to the family farm west of Monroe where they raised a family before moving to Monroe in 1992. It was during that time on the family farm she developed a passion for the outdoors and a love of animals, especially cats, with Squirt being her most recent favorite because he would sit on her lap for hours while looking up at her. She was proud that she and her husband never had an argument during their 59 years of marriage.
Family was central to Marilyn and despite pleas by former employers to return to work, she opted instead to remain at home until her children, Ronald J. and Daren of Monroe and LuAnn of Shawano, were all in school. She instilled in each of them a strong work ethic, a deep sense of compassion and the firm belief of the importance of giving and helping others. She strongly believed it important to thank others by writing a card or making a phone call, often times sharing her love of baking with a plate of cookies or bars.
Marilyn’s family enjoyed many summer vacations between first and second-crop hay. Two of their favorite vacation destinations were Wisconsin Dells and Branson, MO. Marilyn and Delbert continued to visit Branson for more than 30 years after their children were grown. They enjoyed browsing through antique shops along the way. Many family memories were made on their yearly vacations.
Her interests were varied and many. She and Delbert loved to dance (the Fox Trot was their favorite); she took classes in ceramics and cake decorating; loved to sew and crochet; was an avid reader (her favorite author was Bill Ross); kept a journal for herself and each of her children listing happenings and important events; enjoyed family vacations; continually searched for new recipes from her vast cookbook collection; loved sending and receiving greeting cards and treasured good, old-fashioned correspondence; and enjoyed playing cards with friends, many of whom became best friends.
In addition to her three children, she is survived by a sister-in-law, Reva Chambers of Seneca, Wis; several cousins, nieces and nephews and many good friends. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2020; a brother, Joseph Klessinger, her parents; and her mother and fathers-in-law, Albert and Rosa Neuenschwander and Walter Stauffacher.
Funeral Services will be noon on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home with Rev. Christina Schoenwetter officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 am until time of service. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the CNAs, doctors and nurses at Pleasant View Nursing Home, SSM St. Mary’s and SSM Monroe for their excellent care; Chaplain David Cavanaugh for his kindness and calming words; Dr. Deana Courier of SSM Monroe; and RN Jackie and CNAs Gisel, Riley, Kassy, Renee and Katrina. A special note of appreciation goes to Ede Engebretson and Wendy Ruegsegger who became a part of the family with their unwavering care, kindness and friendship.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Marilyn’s name may be directed to the Green County Humane Society, Pleasant View Nursing Home or St. John’s United Church of Christ.
