Marjorie L. Ekum, age 82, a lifelong resident of Monroe, died peacefully on Friday, December 3, 2009 surrounded by family and friends.
Marjorie was born in Monroe on December 1, 1927 to the family of Nicholas and Edna Schmid. She had a passion for life and her Swiss heritage. In particular, Marjorie took great pride in raising the prize winning Brown Swiss herd on her mother and father's Meadow Green dairy farm located on the west side of Monroe. She won many awards for her champion Brown Swiss including a grand champion at the 1946 Waterloo Dairy Congress and the 1947 Wisconsin State Fair.
After graduation from Monroe High School in 1946, she became the first woman to enroll in the Platteville State Teachers College School of Agriculture.
Marjorie met Walter Ekum at Platteville and they were married on July 4, 1948 at the Union Presbyterian Church, Monroe.
A source of continued pride for Marjorie was raising her family and supporting her husband in his business and eight year mayoral career with the City of Monroe.
She demonstrated her generosity by donating a portion of land from the Meadow Green Farm and a park shelter to the City of Monroe which is now known as Sunset Park.
She owned and operated the Chocolate & Nut Shoppe on the west side of the Square which she enjoyed for several years.
She was a lifetime member of Union Presbyterian Church and in her leisure time, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, traveling, playing cards and bird watching. She was an active member of the Eastern Star and volunteered her time to many charitable foundations and organizations.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Maliszewski (Rick); her son, Eric Ekum (Anne); grandchildren, Ryan Maliszewski, Jeffrey Maliszewski, Nicholas Ekum, and Elizabeth Ekum; and a great grandson, Tanner.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a sister, Lila Burns.
Graveside services will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2009, at 1:00 p.m., at Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Rev. Marilyn Sandin-Ross of Union Presbyterian Church will officiate with a celebration of life to follow at the Ludlow Mansion.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Marjorie's name for additions to Sunset Park.
The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family.
To send a condolence to Marjorie's family go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
Marjorie was born in Monroe on December 1, 1927 to the family of Nicholas and Edna Schmid. She had a passion for life and her Swiss heritage. In particular, Marjorie took great pride in raising the prize winning Brown Swiss herd on her mother and father's Meadow Green dairy farm located on the west side of Monroe. She won many awards for her champion Brown Swiss including a grand champion at the 1946 Waterloo Dairy Congress and the 1947 Wisconsin State Fair.
After graduation from Monroe High School in 1946, she became the first woman to enroll in the Platteville State Teachers College School of Agriculture.
Marjorie met Walter Ekum at Platteville and they were married on July 4, 1948 at the Union Presbyterian Church, Monroe.
A source of continued pride for Marjorie was raising her family and supporting her husband in his business and eight year mayoral career with the City of Monroe.
She demonstrated her generosity by donating a portion of land from the Meadow Green Farm and a park shelter to the City of Monroe which is now known as Sunset Park.
She owned and operated the Chocolate & Nut Shoppe on the west side of the Square which she enjoyed for several years.
She was a lifetime member of Union Presbyterian Church and in her leisure time, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, traveling, playing cards and bird watching. She was an active member of the Eastern Star and volunteered her time to many charitable foundations and organizations.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Maliszewski (Rick); her son, Eric Ekum (Anne); grandchildren, Ryan Maliszewski, Jeffrey Maliszewski, Nicholas Ekum, and Elizabeth Ekum; and a great grandson, Tanner.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a sister, Lila Burns.
Graveside services will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2009, at 1:00 p.m., at Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Rev. Marilyn Sandin-Ross of Union Presbyterian Church will officiate with a celebration of life to follow at the Ludlow Mansion.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Marjorie's name for additions to Sunset Park.
The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family.
To send a condolence to Marjorie's family go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
