Marilyn Rae Heerey

Obituary for Marilyn Rae (Witte) Heerey October 16, 1943-September 7, 2023

Janesville WI- Marilyn Rae (Witte) Heerey of Janesville WI passed away peacefully after a short stay at Huntington Place in Janesville on Thursday September 7, 2023. She was born October 16, 1943, in Milwaukee WI, the daughter of Margaret Marie (Lemmermann) Witte and Raymond Otto Witte. She was a 1961 graduate of Washington High School, Milwaukee, and a 1965 graduate of the UW-Milwaukee, in education, and earned graduate school credits. From 1965-1968 She taught full time elementary students in the Fox Point School District. When pregnancy wasn’t immediately forth coming, Marilyn investigated adopting; and in 1969 they chose Michelle, and in 1970 chose Stephen. After a move to Baraboo WI in 1972; and through the miracle of medicine, Mark was born in 1973, and Matthew in 1975. After a 1972 move to Baraboo, WI, Marilyn enjoyed bowling, volunteering, and especially nurturing her “babies”. The family again moved in 1978, where Marilyn taught elementary/middle school students as a substitute teacher for the Janesville School District. Marilyn not only loved children, but also had a huge heart with empathy for people and for giving back to the community. In Janesville, Marilyn continued volunteering as a Salvation Army auxiliary member and helped with fabric sales and providing needy kids with clothing, food, and toys. Marilyn also gave of herself by donating 9 1/2 gallons (1993-2017) of her “O negative” blood through local American Red Cross blood drives, saving many lives who depended on her faithful and consistent giving. She always gave with her heart, helping in preparation and serving the weekly “Wednesday School’ supper meal for the children of Trinity Episcopal Church. Above all, Marilyn loved Jesus and the bible, and through her bible studies, making many lifelong friends at both Trinity and Cargill UMC. Marilyn took up bridge, with the “Dilly, Dilly” ladies bridge group, who remained lifelong friends. Marilyn especially loved traveling the world, with her mother in 1982 to Nottingham England; and later, to Cairo Egypt, on an Episcopal diocesan mission providing medicine, hospital equipment and support for Sudanese refugee school children, who were subject to discrimination by the government; and later with her husband to Alaska, Germany Italy, Ireland, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine west bank, Turkey (Istanbul, Asia minor, visiting the seven churches of Paul), and Greece.

Marilyn loved her family so very much. She is survived by her loving husband Dan of 57 years, her four children Michelle (Allen) Ellefson, Stephen (Amy) Heerey, Mark (Kendra) Heerey, Matthew (Allison Haley) Heerey; and nine grandchildren: Joshua, Rachel (Keith) Petitt, Caitlin. Bryce, Alyson, Samuel, Sarah, Graham, and Eva; her brother Richard (Sarah Sprayregen) Witte, niece Rebecca (Benjamin) Witte-Parad and their sons Asa and Reuben Parad, and nephew Benjamin (Emmanuel) Witte and their daughter Celia; three step grandchildren, Joseph (Courtney) Jordan, James (Alexandria) Butler, and Cassandra (Kwame) Conley; and six step great grandchildren, Kwame Jr., Link, Violet, Serena, Norway May, and Amy Linda. She was preceded In death by her parents.

A memorial service of Christian Burial will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 419 East Court, Janesville WI 53545. The visitation will begin on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 10:00 AM and will continue until the time of service at 11:15 AM. Immediately following the service, all are welcome to join the family at Trinity’s Ortmeyer (Fellowship) Hall for a catered luncheon. At 1:45 PM, the immediate family will depart for a short private entombment service at Milton Lawns Memorial Park, Janesville.

Marilyn’s family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses and staff of Stoughton Hospital, Stoughton WI, Agrace Hospice, Madison WI, and Huntington Place, Janesville WI for the loving care given to Marilyn. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one her favorite charities: Salvation Army, American Red Cross, or to Alzheimer’s Disease Research. Funeral services are provided by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, Janesville. Online condolences may be left at www.henkeclarson.com.