Marilyn J. (Schinke) Grady

Marilyn J. Grady, wife of Dennis J. Grady, left this world on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.  She was born Marilyn Joyce Schinke to her parents, Harry and Flossie Schinke, on August 7, 1952, the youngest of three children.  Her childhood was spent with two of her favorite things, nature and animals.  Besides her family, the love of nature and animals remained with her throughout her lifetime.

Marilyn went to UW-Oshkosh for college and graduated with a degree in Spanish in 1975. Shortly after that she began her career as an esteemed Spanish teacher with the Montello School District, where she taught for many years.  Senora, as she was known to her students, was loved by many.  Her creative lessons always combined an element of fun, while holding expectations high.  She travelled to Mexico with the students, and brought the Spanish culture to life through music, food, and the Spanish language.  While at Montello schools, Marilyn also coached girls basketball, was a class advisor, and helped out on many committees through the years.  It was here that she made many, many lifelong friends.

On June 29, 1985, Marilyn married the love of her life, Dennis J. Grady.  Together, they built a life of adventures, balanced with service to their community.  They travelled to Japan, Germany, Canada, and throughout the United States, but her favorite spot was always the mountains.  Marilyn was involved with the Pardeeville Garden Club for many years, helping at the annual fundraiser at the library, and serving on the program committee. Her own flower gardens were beautiful to behold.  Her love of the great outdoors took her rock climbing and hiking in Devil’s Lake with cousins and friends, snowshoeing in Gleason on family land, where she also tapped trees for maple syrup, and kayaking the rapids wherever she could find them.  In later years a peaceful sunset kayak paddle on Park Lake filled her heart with happiness. For many years Marilyn danced with the Prairie Thunder Cloggers and enjoyed the exuberant music while rolling along on a flatbed in many parades.  Music was always a strong passion for Marilyn as well, whether that was singing with the Gayle Singers in Portage, enjoying the hymns at church on Sunday morning, or harmonizing with favorite songs by the piano.  Marilyn and Dennis were avid supporters of the MacKenzie Environmental Center, believing in the importance of outdoor education, and the protection of both animals and flowers, water, and trees.  Her favorite view was always while sitting perched high in a tree that she climbed.  

Marilyn’s beautiful smile and positive attitude were known to all. She leaves a legacy of paying kindness forward, as a gracious and loving soul to everyone she met.  She is survived by her loving husband, Dennis, her sister Jayne (Guy) Bull of Appleton.  She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Flossie and by her brother Dennis Schinke.

Memorial Services will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Pardeeville United Methodist Church 101 Wisconsin St. Pardeeville. With Reverend Kerry Wilson presiding. Visitation will be held from 9 am until the time of the services on Wednesday at the church.  Memorials to the family for a fund to be established at the MacKenzie Environmental Center.

The family would like to express a special Thank You to Marilyn’s beloved friends, Mary Martin and Kris Soderman  for all their loving car and devotion as well as the staff of Agrace HospiceCare.

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