Marilyn A. (Wanke) Peter

Marilyn A. Peter, age 91, of Athens, WI, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2025 at the Athenian Living.

Marilyn was born in Hewitt, on March 3, 1934 to the late Albert and Anna (Schiferl) Wanke.

She attended St John’s Catholic grade school and was the first graduate from the new Columbus High School to cross the stage, in Marshfield WI.

She worked at Northern Auto, in Marshfield until she married Robert Peter.  They married on June 8, 1954 and were married for 70 years. Marilyn loved being a homemaker, raising eight children, hog farming with her husband, and making time for the office work within the family business of E.J. Peter Trucking. She provided an immaculate house, had supper ready on time to keep pace with the family’s extracurricular activities, and provided care for the extended family members.  Not a lady of huge stature, but a lady of conviction.  The better question is “what didn’t she do?”

Marilyn was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish. She belonged to the Parish Council of Catholic Women, in which, she served as the Circle Chairman for the Town of Johnson. Marilyn was recognized by the State of Wisconsin for her participation as a member of the church choir, organizer of the annual church Christmas Bazaar and St Anthony’s fair food tent.

Survivors include her husband, Robert, their eight children, Mark Peter, Ann (Greg) Goetsch, John (Margie) Peter, Steve (Michelle) Peter, Jean (Ron) Thurs, Tom (Juli) Peter, Jim (Traci) Peter, Lori (Aaron) Ellenbecker, 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Also surviving are brothers, Joe Wanke, Dennis (Ethel) Wanke and Ron (Karen) Wanke.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Anna (Schiferl) Wanke, brother, Jerome Wanke, father and mother-in-law Michael and Mary (Schreiner) Peter, brother-in law, Eugene Peter and sister-in-law Vera Wanke.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, March, 24, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Athens, WI with Father George N. Graham presiding.  Visitation is scheduled at the church on Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. and again on Monday from 9:30a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Marilyn’s name to St. Anthony’s Parish, 407 Caroline St., PO Box 206, Athens, WI 54411 or directly to the family for a memorial to be named at a later date.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Athenian Living and Interim Hospice for the care Marilyn received.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com