Marie E. Stecker

Marie Stecker, age 93, passed away at the Appleton Medical Center on Sunday morning, January 5, 2014. Marie was born in Hilbert on August 12, 1920, daughter of the late Gottlieb and Molly (Mertz) Diener. On June 1, 1940, she married Robert Stecker at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Hilbert; he preceded her in death in 1996. Early on, the couple operated a dairy farm near Chilton, and in the early 1950's moved to Kaukauna. Marie worked in the dietary department at the Kaukauna Community Hospital for twenty-six years, and retired in 1991.

Marie enjoyed gardening, flowers, crafts, cooking and baking, and playing cards. She was always willing and able to help friends or neighbors get to appointments, shopping, or whatever was needed. One of her greatest joys was to prepare a meal for her family and open her home for her everyone to enjoy a special day together.

She is survived by two daughters: Sharon (Wally) Donnermeyer of Kaukauna and Kathy Pettis (Mike Simon) of Appleton; a son: Ralph (Judy) Stecker of Fresno, California; eight grandchildren: Shelley (David) Burnette, Sheila (Mike) Olson, Tammy (Ryan) Schmirler, Todd (Melissa) Donnermeyer, Kelly (Kyle) Marohl, Jamie (Jeff) Jansen, Danielle Paessler (Josh Saunders), and Adam (Andi) Pettis; ten great-grandchildren: Robert Olson, Lindsey Olson, Lexi Schmirler, Haylee Schmirler, Payton Schmirler, Ryker Donnermeyer, Rylee Donnermeyer, Bowen Avery, Ethan Paessler, and Thomas Pettis. There is also a sister-in-law: Evie Gries of Brillion; a brother-in-law: David (Myrtle) Stecker of Brillion; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws: Louis and Minnie Stecker; her husband Robert Stecker; brothers: John (Alice) Diener, Carl (Virginia) Diener, and Theodore Diener; sisters: Emma (Elmer) Thone and Ida (Carl) Boesch; and a great-granddaughter: Alexandria Marie Jansen.

Funeral services for Marie will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at the Fargo Funeral Home, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue in Kaukauna. Rev. Levi Willms of Bethany Lutheran Church will officiate, and burial will be in St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Hilbert. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kindred Hearts in Greenville, Dr. Michael Werner, Dr. Bruce Danz, Dr. Megan Everson, and everyone on the 8th Floor at Appleton Medical Center. We will never forget your kindness.

“My children and family have all been a joy to me. I thank you all, and I will meet you all in heaven.” -Marie.