Marilyn Schneider Monahan, 95, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. Her last days were made easier with the excellent guidance of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services in conjunction with the wonderfully caring staff of her Primrose Retirement Community.
She was born on Dec. 20, 1928, in Davenport, Iowa, daughter of the late Richard and Mamie (Ihms) Murphy. On Sept. 11, 1954, she married Ardwin “Art” Schneider and together they raised seven children. Art preceded her in death on Oct. 2, 1999. She then found love again and on Oct. 15, 2002, married John “Jack” Monahan; he preceded her in death on Jan. 28, 2016.
During her long life, Marilyn lived in several places throughout the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast, and enjoyed exploring other parts of the country with Art and the kids as they were growing up, camper trailer in tow. Beachcombing and collecting shells along the Gulf coast was always a favorite activity for her! Back at home, she enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, like watching the leaves turn, the birds at the feeders, or the occasional deer, turkey or black bear that visited her backyard. Playing cards, solving puzzles – jigsaw, crossword, etc. – kept her entertained, as did visiting with her many friends and neighbors. And through it all, her penchant for sweets kept her energized!
Marilyn was an accomplished organist who began playing as a teenager, and filled many churches with beautiful music well into her 70s. She was also a woman of great faith and was active in the Catholic church as well as numerous charities.
Survivors include her children, Terry (Alan) Burgess, Ed (Barb) Schneider, Mary Lou (Ryan Younger) Schneider, Sandy (Bob) Wright, Karen (Pete) Drobet, Andy (Lynn) Schneider and Paul Schneider, plus six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis (Simon) Moughamian, Pat Moughamian and JoAnne Cartier. She is further survived by her second (Jack’s) family: Pat, Kay, Terry, Tracy, Nancy, and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Marilyn was well-loved by all who knew her – and always will be.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 3 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Wausau, Wis. Rev. Allan Slowiak will preside. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery, Gainesville, Ga.
If desired, donations can be made in her memory to the BrightFocus Foundation Macular Degeneration Research: https://www.brightfocus.org/macular# . Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.