It is with great sadness that the family of Marilyn Elaine Gueller (nee Bartell) announces her unexpected passing at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the age of 72. Marilyn Elaine Bartell came into the world on May 24, 1946, the daughter of the late Fred and Marion (Borleske) Bartell, at St. Alphonsus in Port Washington. Her family had settled in the area along Freistadt Road west of Thiensville, in Ozaukee County.
Much of her childhood was spent at her grandfather’s farm, in the care of her “oma,” which translates from German to “great-grandmother.” At the farm, she raised a pig she named Sparky who she had much affection for, was as tame as a pet dog, and who she often spoke about.
After her parents built a new home a short distance southwest from the family farm, Marilyn could often be seen trudging along the side of the road with her red wagon and her teddy-bear, Emil. When she took cheese from the house to the farm, she would keep the limburger in the wagon to try to stay upwind of the smell which she disliked.
Marilyn excelled in her primary school classes at the Hamilton School Building, south of Cedarburg in Ozaukee County. Her Grafton High School grades qualified her for acceptance to the Wisconsin State Teachers College in Whitewater, where she was awarded a scholarship. Upon receiving her B.A. in elementary education, she taught at Parkview Elementary School in Cedarburg until her marriage to Lawrence Gueller in 1978. Shortly afterward, the couple moved into an A-frame-style house on the Spirit Ridge near Legend Lake in Keshena.
After the birth of their son, Paul, Marilyn worked for a period of time at the Keshena Elementary School as a substitute teacher. She then accepted a permanent position with the Howard-Suamico School District near Green Bay, where she taught for the rest of her career. She taught first, second and third grades respectively before retiring in 2006 to enjoy the pleasantries of her family, her home, and the lake shore.
Marilyn was involved with a group of individuals known as the Area Representatives, representing the portion of land nearby Spirit Ridge Road. This group was given the responsibility of sorting out problems and complaints voiced by the citizens of the Legend Lake Property Owners’ Association and then forwarding their findings to the association board of directors.
Marilyn enjoyed swimming, boating, reading, knitting and rosemåling. Her concerns for the welfare of children and their education were high on her list of important items to be resolved. She gave freely to many local and national charities and was outspoken in her support of efforts to improve the conditions and quality of life for children and animals in order to secure more optimum care for them as well as a greater concern for their safety.
Marilyn will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 40 years, Lawrence; her son, Paul (Jill); and by her brothers, Richard (Colleen) and Robert. She will be remembered as oma in the hearts of her four grandchildren, Hudson, Jackson, Georgia Kate, and Weston.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Marion, and by her brother, John.
A memorial service for Marilyn will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at Swedberg Wendt Funeral Home in Bonduel with Richard Menning officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Shawano County Humane Society, 1290 Jaycee Ct., Shawano, WI 54166 or http://www.shawanocountyhumanesociety.com or Susan G. Komen Wisconsin, 2025 W. Oklahoma Ave., Suite 116, Milwaukee, WI 53215 or https://komenwisconsin.org