Obituary of Marion Wilhemena Heger

Marion Wilhemena (Streich) Heger 

Marion was born on February 19, 1927, in Jefferson, the fourth daughter of Edward and Emma (Kiesling) Streich.  She married Richard Heger on November 6, 1948, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson. Richard preceded her in death on November 1, 2016.  Her strong and loyal work ethic became evident as a business student at Jefferson High School. She was an office intern at Carnation and continued this position following her high school graduation in 1944. Marion also worked for Badger Press both in Jefferson and Fort Atkinson. She began as a part-time proofreader, working from home and over the years accepted the positions of office manager and Secretary of the Board of Directors. She loved the printing business and the family of coworkers that so enriched her life. Marion retired from Badger Press when she was 72 years of age.

Marion’s love for family was the center of her life. She was passionate about making everyone’s life the best ever. A possible pie record for a non-professional baker might be in the realm of possibilities—her family estimates that she made over 3,200 pies serving an apple pie every Sunday and frequently adding a cherry, pumpkin or German Sweet Chocolate pie to the dessert menu. Desserts, chocolate chip cookies, big family meals were her specialty and she will forever be cherished for introducing ham gravy to Christmas dinners!

Marion and Richard shared 68 wonderful and loving years together before Richard passed November 1, 2016. Every night before ending their day, they said to each other, “you made my day, you made my life.” When asked what her first reaction was when meeting Richard, she would quickly answer “his wavy hair and he was cute”. They first met after WWII at Riverview Inn, a bar on the way to Fort Atkinson. Their first date was May 18, 1946 and for the next 68 years there was always a rose bouquet delivery in celebration.

She grew up on the family farm along with her sisters Elvira, Gladys and Marjorie. One of her favorite family memories was of her mom frying pans of fish every Friday night, a Wisconsin tradition. Once the meal was served to many friends and relatives, the kitchen table was moved and shredded paraffin was sprinkled on the floor for dancing. A family friend would play the concertina (squeezebox) and the night easily stretched to morning. Her mom passed when Marion was 16 and she then lived with Etta Petty who quickly embraced Marion as family.  Marion was involved in a variety of activities most recently as a volunteer for the Jefferson Historical Society and City Museum. She was a volunteer poll worker for local, state and national elections. She was both a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Girl Scout Assistant Leader. Marion was also an active Music Parents leader for Jefferson High School while her three children were in the marching band. She enjoyed traveling and made sure we were some of the first to see Disney World when it opened.  Her family was always her focus and the most beloved part of her day. She enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball games. She was so proud to be in the audience for dance events, pompon, twirling and cheerleading competitions, parades, pageants and piano recitals. She enjoyed weekly shopping trips to Milwaukee and Christmas was her favorite holiday with many holiday cookies and the biggest fullest tree that would fit under the ceiling. She was the forever Santa in all of our lives.  Marion always felt her life was blessed and her faith in God to bring her home in His loving embrace was a life event she looked forward to. She died peacefully Tuesday evening, January 15, 2019.

Marion will be deeply missed and forever treasured by her son, Robert of Oak Creek and his husband, Hector Montoya: daughters Jane (Virgil) Guralski of Wauwatosa and Mary Jo (Roy) Overton of West Des Moines, Iowa.  Grandchildren: SarahJane (Chris) Guralski Casula of Chicago, Amanda Guralski of Milwaukee, Ashley (Chad) Smith of Brookfield, Kirsten Overton of West Des Moines, Tommy Overton of West Des Moines and Madelyn Overton of West Des Moines. Step-grandchildren: Stephanie (Steven) Alcorn of Iowa and Alexander Overton of Texas. Great grandchildren: Leighton, Louie, Lincoln, and Samantha Smith; step great-grandchildren Chase, Maddox and Briella Alcorn. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Elvira, Gladys and Marjorie and loving family friend Etta Petty.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday January 21, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating, burial will follow the Mass in the Parish cemetery.  Visitation will take place from 3:30p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Sunday January 20, 2019 at the Schneider-Michaelis Funeral home in Jefferson with the Rosary at 6:00 p.m.  A second visitation for Marion will be held at the church on Monday morning from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at Noon.

Marion’s family would like to extend tremendous gratitude to the loving and thoughtful caregivers at Sunset Ridge Senior Assisted Living facility.

Memorials in Marion’s name to St. Francis Catholic Church are appreciated.

Marion’s journey was a life well lived and well loved. She would say that Richard was “Class A” and Richard would respond “I have a very good woman.” Heaven is rejoicing to have two beautiful souls!

Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com for more details, photos, to leave a condolence or to light a candle in his memory.