Surnames: Slipek, Staszcuk, Strautman

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) June 18, 2008

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

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

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

Marilyn received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1974. She received her Masters Degree from the University with a degree as Reading Specialist in 1988. 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 teaching career of over 30 years started at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Owen, WI. Marilyn then taught at the elementary school she attended as a child - Thorp Catholic School. While at Thorp Catholic School, 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 Reading and District Reading Specialist at Edgar, WI District Schools. In 1993-1994, she was chosen Elementary Teacher of the Year by her Edgar teaching colleagues.

During her teaching career, Marilyn was involved in many CESA #9 in-services. 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.

Marilyn was involved in the first Thorp Jaycees group, having held several offices. Along with others, she 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 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, 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.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp, WI, with burial in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was held on Sunday, June 15, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Thorp Funeral Home and on Monday from 9 to 10 a.m., also at the funeral home.

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

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