Marilyn Elizabeth Schlaefer

Marilyn (Ellenbecker) Schlaefer, age 93, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, passed away on November 8, 2026, in her home.

Marilyn was born on October 21, 1933, in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Wilbert (Bill) and Rose (Pruchnofski) Ellenbecker. She was a 1952 graduate of West High School in Appleton, WI.

Following high school, Marilyn held several positions before joining the payroll team at Kimberly-Clark Paper Company where she worked until she was married. Life was not all work for Marilyn. She enjoyed dancing at The Casino in Waupaca and local beer bars, attending outdoor movies, and taking up downhill skiing. She owned several memorable cars, including a Studebaker, an MG Hardtop, and two Triumphs. Her MG introduced her to the world of car rallies, a hobby she enjoyed for several years.

In 1962, while on a ski trip to Aspen, Colorado, Marilyn met Don Schlaefer who was from Green Bay, WI. After a brief courtship, they were married on January 12, 1963, in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Together, Marilyn and Don valued their faith, family, community, and living a healthy active lifestyle. They built a home outside Green Bay, where they raised their four children. Marilyn devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother and creating a warm and welcoming home for her family.

Marilyn was an active member of the St. John the Baptist parish in Howard, WI and sang in the funeral choir and volunteered as a school librarian. She stayed involved in her children's activities as a volunteer Cub Scout and 4-H leader. She taught them to cross-country ski, enjoyed walking and picking flowers together in the woods behind their home, shared her enjoyment for knitting and cross-stitch with the girls, and the family participated in many bike rides and cross-country ski races together. Marilyn was known by all the neighbors to ring the big school bell in the backyard to call the children who were playing out in the woods home for meals. Her love for family continued with her grandchildren. She was a proud grandma and enjoyed playing cards and board games, putt-putt golf, teaching them various life and sport skills and attending their many events.

As her children entered school, Marilyn became deeply involved in her community and athletic endeavors. She volunteered with the Community Service Center, supporting participants with disabilities, served as an EMT with the Howard-Suamico Rescue Squad, was a hospice volunteer, and worked as an election worker in the Town of Hobart.

Together, Marilyn and Don shared a passion for an active outdoor lifestyle which they shared with their children and grandchildren. Marilyn began running in 1976 and was an avid runner for more than 30 years completing many 10Ks, half-marathons and marathons. Together, they logged thousands of miles cross-country skiing and biking across the United States 3 times. They were active members of the Green Bay and Hayward silent-sports communities. Marilyn was an avid golfer and enjoyed weekly leagues with her sister Joanie and friends.

In 1995, Marilyn and Don built a home and moved to Hayward, Wisconsin, where they could be closer to the ski trails and scenic road biking routes they loved. There, Marilyn helped establish the "Birkie Girls," a group of retired women who gathered for weekly outdoor adventures in Hayward and the surrounding Northwoods. As an informal leader of the group, Marilyn encouraged and inspired countless women to embrace outdoor recreation, fitness, and friendship.

Marilyn moved back to Green Bay in 2016 and continued supporting her community through volunteer work at St Mary's Hospital and became a regular participant in Rock Steady Boxing and Empowered Movement Dancing, both designed for people with Parkinson's Disease. She worked hard and with great determination, she was able to maintain her independence.

Marilyn will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, boundless energy, dedication to family and service, and ability to inspire others to lead active and meaningful lives.

Marilyn is survived by her four children Ann (Paul) Patronik, Mark (Laurie Babler) Schlaefer, Molly (Jerritt) Johnston, Paul (Wendy Leder) Schlaefer. She is further survived by her grandchildren; Andy (Hannah Schultz) Patronik, Kate (Russ Crofton) Patronik, Sarah (Jack Welker) Schlaefer, Jasper Johnston, Rena Johnson, Kelly (Brady) Bernauer, Erin (Matt Menalis) Schlaefer, Judd Schlaefer, JT Schlaefer, and one great-granddaughter; Willa Bernauer, who brought Marilyn great joy these few months.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents, and siblings Edward Ellenbecker, Amy Geiger, Doris VanDyke, and Joan Schneider.

Friends and family will gather at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2597 Glendale Ave., (The entrance is directly across from BP gas station on Glendale Ave.) from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 17. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Marilyn at 11:00 am. To send online condolences go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rock Steady Boxing: Wisconsin The Parkinson's Foundation Rock Steady Boxing, 13400 Bishops Ln, Ste 120, Brookfield WI 53005 or Empowered by Movement 1150 Grignon Street, Green Bay, WI 54301.

Family would like to thank the Staff of Woodside Villa 2 for care provided to Marilyn this past year.