Surnames: Slipek, Staszcuk, Strautman

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) June 14, 2008

Slipek, Marilyn Theresa (16 July 1952 - 12 June 2008)

Marilyn T. Slipek

THORP -- Marilyn T. Slipek, 55, of Thorp, died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at her home under the loving care of Hope Hospice of Rib Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2008, at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, in Thorp. Burial will follow in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary service, on Sunday at the Thorp Funeral Home.

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----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Monday, Jun. 16

Marilyn Slipek

Marilyn Theresa Slipek, 55, a lifelong resident of Thorp, died peacefully June 12, 2008, at home surrounded by her loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp with burial in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Thorp Funeral Home and will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. today at the funeral home.

Marilyn was born July 16, 1952, in Stanley to Raymond and Theresa (Staszcuk) Slipek. She attended Thorp Catholic School and graduated in 1970 from Thorp High School with honors.

She received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1974. She received her master's degree with a degree as reading specialist in 1988 from UW-Eau Claire. During her college years, she was involved in student government, educational service projects and campus activities. She made many friends during her college years and kept in contact with many of her college acquaintances.

Her teacher career of over 30 years started at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Owen. Marilyn then taught at the elementary school she attended as a child -- Thorp Catholic School. While there, she had the privilege of teaching with some of her former elementary teachers.

She taught second grade and was involved with the First Communion Class. Marilyn then became the Title One Reaching and District Reading Specialist at Edgar School District. In 1993-94, she was chosen Elementary Teacher of the Year by her Edgar teaching colleagues.

During her teaching career, Marilyn was involved in many CESA 9 inservices. She actively belonged to the State of Wisconsin Title One Association and Wisconsin Reading Council. She presented at various workshops. Several of her articles on reading were published in Wisconsin Reading Journals. She was on many school planning committees and an active member of the Edgar Professional Education Association and Wisconsin Educators Association.

Marilyn had many fond memories of the wonderful students she had the privilege to have in her classes over her teaching career.

Marilyn enjoyed traveling, reading, gourmet baking and especially polka music. She attended many local, state and national polka festivals each year. She also met weekly with the Breakfast Bunch of Edgar Teachers for breakfast.

She was involved in the first Thorp Jaycees group having held several offices. Along with others, they started the first Fantasy Bazaar which is still held each December. She was a member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church.

Marilyn treasured her family. She was very grateful to her loving family for being with her and for their care during her illness.

She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She had a heart of gold and was always giving of herself and never asked of anything in return. She put her family and friends first. We were very blessed to share our lives with her.

Survivors include her mother: Theresa Slipek of Thorp; one sister: Julie (Mark) Strautman of Ashippun; two brothers: John (Kathy) Slipek of Abbotsford and Chester (Deb) Slipek of St. Paul; nephews: Isaac, Ben and Nick Slipek and Jacob Strautman; nieces: Noelle and Sarah Slipek and Jacob Strautman; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond in 2000 and her grandparents.