Marion K. West

Marion Katherine West, age 82, passed away unexpectedly on February 5, 2026, at ThedaCare Appleton. She was born on December 22, 1943, to William and Christine (Verkuilen) Hermans, in Kaukauna. She was raised in Kaukauna and when her parents passed away (she was just a teen) she went to live with her brother. She graduated from Xavier High School.

It was while living at her brothers’ home, she looked across the back fence and noticed a young man who was destined to become the true love of her life. She married Thomas West on April 4, 1964, and they shared the next 61+ years together. While raising her three boys in Appleton, she was known as the mom who was always present. She always made sure her sons had correct change for the bus, always made time for events and just made sure the family was taken care of.

She was a long time TOPS member and relished in the fact that she was able to drop 100lbs and maintain it. She was always about being healthy, but she also used those meetings to connect with her friends. She and Tom were also regular card players with their group of friends. She was an excellent seamstress in her younger years, enjoyed craft stamping, and reading. She was a huge collector of salt and pepper shakers-much to the chagrin of her family.

Marion is survived by her husband Tom, her sons: Steve (Shannon) West, Dan (Pam) West, Randy West; grandchildren: Jackson West, Tyson West, Natalie (Austin) Meyer, Maggie West, Mitchell (Lily) West, Samuel West; and great grandson Hudson Meyer. She is further survived by her sisters-in-law: Germaine Hermans, Shirley Brouillard, Joyce West, Mary West, brother-in-law Harry (Diane) West, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John “Jack” Hermans, daughter-in-law Linda West, parents-in-law Peter and Helen West, brothers-in-law: Carl (Vera) West, Ray Brouillard, Richard West, Jerry West, and sister-in-law Bonnie (Gerald) Zapp.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday February 27, 2026, at 11:00am, at St Thomas more Catholic Church, 1810 N McDonald Street, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:00am until mass begins. Marion will be interred at Highland Memorial Park.

Marion’s family would like to thank the ER staff at ThedaCare Appleton especially Reece Cooper, MD for their compassionate care.