Obituary for Marilyn J. Wildt

Marilyn Joan Wildt passed away unexpectedly on December 3, 2023 at Gundersen Hospital. Marilyn was born June 5, 1931 to Harry and Marie (Brueggeman) Terpstra in La Crosse. She attended La Crosse Teachers College for several years where she met and later married Glenn Wildt. They were married 52 years before he passed away in 2004.

Marilyn graduated from Central High School in 1949 and thoroughly enjoyed helping to plan the 49er's class reunions, the last one held in 2014. She enjoyed raising her family and watching them grow into productive citizens. She and Glenn lived an active life before and after he retired from teaching at Central High School. They spent many happy hours out on the bike trails and also canoeing the area rivers and lakes. She enjoyed traveling both with her family and also former classmates and her favorite places were anywhere with an ocean, beach and a lighthouse, preferably Hawaii. Her love for animals was universal - she never met one she didn't want to take home but settled for cats. She believed in the theory that one doesn't stop having fun when you get old, you get old when you stop having fun.

Marilyn is survived by her four children, Jeff (Yong Bok)Wildt, Dan (Kathy Sulivan) Wildt, Cindy (Paul) Stuhr of La Crosse and Robert (Marty) Wildt of Trempealeau.Ten grandchildren Melissa (Jason) Hummelt, Brendon Wildt, Toni Eden, Andy (Johnnyray) Wildt, Adam (Dani) Stuhr, Cullen Stuhr, Jared Stuhr, Breann (Alex) Kjome, Nicole dela Pena (Chris Duchateau) and Holly Wildt. Also 5 great grandchildren, Benjie Hummelt, Ally Becker, Mason dela Pena, Brodie Stuhr, Reign Merchlewitz, and Ezra, Sawyer, and Argo Wildt. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Glenn, her parents, two brothers Robert and Wayne Terpstra and her sister Helen McClellan.

Memorial funeral services will be at English Lutheran Church, 1509 King Street, La Crosse at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 9, 2023, with Pastor Becky Gochi officiating. Friends may call at the church from 9:00-11:00 am before the service. A private burial will take place at Oak Grove.

Memorials may be given to Coulee Region Humane Society, English Lutheran Church or Central High School. Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.

"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened".