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Olk, Marjorie Clare

Olk, MarjorieMarjorie “Marge” Clare Olk, Clintonville passed away at home Monday, August 1, 2016 surrounded by family.

Marge, or as her Bear Creek community knew her, “Margie”, was born on July 15, 1925 in Bear Creek to Peter and Teresa Battes. She grew up in Bear Creek where she attended St. Mary’s grade school and graduated at age 16 from Bear Creek High School as the valedictorian. Marge worked as a secretary for the FWD starting in Appleton and then transferring to Clintonville. She met her future husband Harold “Hal” at Olk Drug Store. Marge and Hal were united in marriage on September 4, 1950 at St. Mary’s Church in Bear Creek. They resided and raised their family in Clintonville. Marge’s life revolved around her family. She loved spending time with them, listening to their daily adventures, and seeing and hearing all about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The more family that was home, the happier Marge was. Marge was an active parishioner of St. Rose Catholic Church. She sang in several church choirs since her childhood. She was also a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the prayer chain and a contributor to other activities helping parishioners. Over the years she also volunteered for the school library, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. In her free time, Marge enjoyed baking, playing cards, especially bridge and schafskopf, music, doing crossword puzzles, watching Wisconsin sports, entertaining and visiting with family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling, and once Hal retired, traveled to many parts of the United States and abroad to Europe, including her ancestral countries of Ireland and Germany. Marge was very proud of her Irish heritage.

Marge is survived by her two daughters, Barbara (Jerry) Wisniewski, Lyndhurst, OH and Kristine (Jerry) Slattery, Middleton; and her three sons, Dan, Ames, IA; Paul (Lynn), Denver, CO; and Bob, Huntington Beach, CA; grandchildren: Patricia Wisniewski and Kristin (Doug) Jansky, Emily and Ella Merwin Olk, and Elyse, Ryan and Grady Slattery; great-grandchildren: Cooper Feipel, Madeline, Trevor and Audrey Jansky; her sister-in-law, Bernice Olk; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Hal; her infant daughter, Mary; her son, David; her infant great-granddaughter, Grace Feipel; her parents; her sisters Marie Below, Katherine (Joe) McClone; her brothers, John (Priscilla), Morris and Duane Battes; brother-in-law James (Jay) Olk; and nieces, Beverly (Doug) Weeks, Kay Below and Kathleen Spence.

Marge had a large and caring heart. Many friends and caregivers were inspired by her positive attitude, commenting on how smart, witty, funny, and strong she was during her recent treatments. Her smile was contagious and she would maintain, “You are as young as you feel.” Marge’s children would like to thank all of you who showed her so much love, compassion and support these past three years of medical challenges. Countless friends and family members assisted in driving her, taking her to appointments, and spending time with her. She left this Earth feeling truly loved by family and friends. We would also like to thank the doctors, nurses, and health personnel at both the Fox Valley Hematology & Oncology Clinic and the UW Hospital Carbone Cancer Center. Their care allowed us to have more time with our Mother and we are very grateful.

A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, August, 6, 2016 at St. Rose Catholic Church, Clintonville with Rev. John “Jack “ Mullarkey and deacon Lincoln Wood officiating. Interment will be in the St. Rose Catholic Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call at St. Rose Catholic Church on Friday from 5 until 8 p.m. and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church until the time of the service. A parish prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m., Friday in the church. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting her family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com

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