Marian C. Hopfensperger Thibodeau (Sister Mary Manetta)

Marian C. Thibodeau, 98, died at Country Villa in Little Chute, WI, on Oct. 21, 2025. She was born on Feb. 11, 1927 to her parents, Alex and Caroline (Patsch) Hopfensperger

Marian lived a full life and never stopped learning. She grew up in Appleton, WI and in 1948 joined Servants of Mary Catholic Order of Nuns in Ladysmith, WI. During her time in the convent, she became a teacher and taught in many schools throughout the country. She spent 10 years in Carteret, NJ teaching children who had escaped with their parents from several communist countries. She strove to develop a curriculum for this multi-cultural group that would fit their needs. During this time, she also became principal of a large Catholic elementary school in Carteret. She also worked in St. Paul, MN and Chicago, IL.

She left the convent after 20 years and returned to the Fox Valley where she continued her teaching career in the Kaukauna School District. She loved children and they loved her.

She was a graduate of St. Scholastica College in Duluth, MN and received her Masters Degree in reading at U.W. Oshkosh. She ended up teaching for 48 years and retired in 1996. She loved traveling and visited all 50 states and over 35 countries. Oh the stories she told!

In 1993, at the age of 66, she married Floyd Thibodeau and her family expanded immensely!

She is survived by her brother, Ronald (Marliea) Hopfensperger; her step-children, Patti Jo Arnold, Trudy Thibodeau, and Joe (Stacey) Thibodeau; her grandchildren, Steve (Pam) Arnold, Dan Arnold, Mike (Sara) Thibodeau, Tony (Beth) Thibodeau, Patrick Thibodeau, Nick (Sherry) Shuber, Ross Shuber, Kyle (Rachel) Thibodeau, Trent (Jen Van Abel) Thibodeau, Ben (Bailey) Thibodeau, and Jake Thibodeau; and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd Thibodeau; her siblings, Rosella Hopfensperger, Virginia Lukeroth, Lucile (Orville) Johann, Caroline Palmer, William (Edna) Hopfensperger, Richard Hopfensperger, Barbara Ann Hopfensperger, and Catherine Welhouse; and also her son-in-law, Roger Arnold; stepson, David (Jean) Thibodeau; and grandson, Joshua Thibodeau.

She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In her words, “I loved my family, my dogs; Buttons and Tibbi. I loved my faith and tried to live it.”

A special thank you to Julie Johnson and Louise Gehrt for the years of caregiving given to Marian and Floyd and their lasting love and friendship given to our entire family.

Also thank you to her special nieces, Carol McDaniel, Diane Willing and Nancy Nespbor who faithfully visited her and loved her deeply.

Thank you to the staff at Country Villa who surrounded Marian with dignity and love during her peaceful passing.

And finally, our thanks to the kindest, most loving and supportive Moments Hospice team EVER! Emily Lewis, Melissa Tessen, Kay Borree, Angelic Singer, Erin and Chaplain Tommy. You showered Marian with love, laughter and gave your ALL to each of us.

A Funeral Liturgy for Marian will be held on Friday, November 7, at 11:00 AM, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, St. Mary Church, 119 W. Seventh St, Kaukauna. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service.