Where Caring Is A Family Tradition
Where Caring Is A Family Tradition
Marilyn Jane (Zander) Voeltner, age 81, of Oshkosh, WI, formerly of Berlin, WI died Friday, April 29, 2022, at Sharehaven Memory Care Residence in Oshkosh. She was born November 1, 1940, to the late Otto and Naomi (Schwanke) Zander.
Marilyn was a 1958 graduate of Berlin High School and earned her Undergraduate and Master’s Degrees from UW-O. Marilyn’s passion for teaching brought her back to Berlin High School where for over 30 years, she, and her infamous red pen, touched the lives of hundreds and hundreds of students. She kept teaching until the very end … in her own mind.
On September 2, 1961, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Ron. They were truly the epitome of love for their 58 years of marriage. She missed him every moment of every day since his passing 3 years ago.
Marilyn was a wife (to Ron), a mom (to Kelly Grey/Greg and Julie Williams/Walt), a grandma (to Jacob Rittich, Taylor Readdy, Charlie Grey, Robert Grey, Walter Williams, Julia Williams and Emma Williams), a great-grandma (to Taelynn and Tatum Readdy and Jordan Rittich), a teacher/influencer (to thousands) and a warrior who flourished in spite of a mind riddled with dementia and a frail, weak body.
There will be no visitation or funeral. We hope you told her how much she meant to you and celebrated her while she was alive! Please feel free to leave a message for us at muellerfh.net. Cards can be sent to Mueller Funeral Home c/o Kelly Grey 904 E. Main St., Winneconne, WI 54986. We will be setting up a scholarship fund as well as a memorial to Sharehaven, where she was treated with love and care until her very last breath.
Su Ash Gustafson wrote on May 6, 2022
To this day, I use the editing and layout concepts Mrs. V taught when I worked on the Red 'n' Green in the BHS class of 1970. I hope in my 30-year art teaching career, I was able to affect some students as she affected many lives.
Barbara A Roob wrote on May 5, 2022
I met Marilyn in the fall of 1958 at Webster Hall, our dorm at UW-O. We instantly connected with her two other friends, and have kept in touch with our luncheon gatherings ever since.
How cruel that dementia dare take this wonderful soul, but it did. I am so sad, heart broken about her death. My thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Louie Lawent wrote on May 3, 2022
Mrs. Voeltner was my favorite teacher who also had the most impact on me. I am writer who owes her a great debt of gratitude.
Lisa Utecht wrote on May 3, 2022
She had an infectious smile and friendliness that invited everyone to smile with her. She was a beautiful lady and a wonderful teacher!
Jim Feavel wrote on May 3, 2022
I met Marilyn in 1972 when I started teaching in Berlin. Our English Department was a close-knit group and we all worked well together and I still have fond memories of that group. When I started the Photography classes and worked more closely with her on the shots for the Red 'N Green, I got to see just how really dedicated she was to her craft ... and to her students/friends. Marilyn was a great teacher, a wonderful wife, a dear friend and a warm human being. Her legacy is guaranteed through her many students.
Mary Coleman wrote on May 2, 2022
Mrs. V was a tiny lady, but a giant literary force. Her Advanced Composition class (and her red pen) made a better writer and taught me the value and power of grammar and the written word.
I, too, am a teacher and I have spoken of Mrs. V to my students on several occasions. Her influence is living on through students she never met.
Kelly and Julie, take comfort in knowing that your mom was deeply admired and will be well-remembered. May she rest in peace.
David E. Gneiser, Berlin wrote on May 1, 2022
Mrs. V (as many students called her) was the most influential teacher I've ever had. Her encouragement put me on the path to a 20 year journalism career, which eventually led to owning several weekly WI newspapers. V's famous red pen taught us to be precise word smiths in her Red n' Green school newspaper laboratory. She was a strict taskmaster that made us better at detailing the who, what, when, where and why of news reporting.
- 30- Mrs. V
Amy Wenig wrote on April 30, 2022
Thank you for the impact you made on countless lives…especially mine. You are loved.