MADISON - Marcia Lynn Kohl Ouchakof, age 68, of Madison, Wis., died peacefully at home on May 19, 2025, surrounded by her family.

She was born on August 7, 1956, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of John Robert Kohl and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Dunning Kohl. She graduated from Avon High School (Connecticut) in 1974, where she made lifeIong friends: Betsy Shelley, Sue Wakeen Personatti, and Sandy Wakeen Williams. She graduated from Wittenberg University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in elementary education. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Sorority where she was the social director. While at college, she participated in an internship at Camarillo State Hospital, Calif., working with children with autism and severe emotional disabilities. This program motivated her to earn her education degree.

Marcia met Boris V. Ouchakof in a chance meeting through mutual friends in Connecticut. They were married two years later on January 25, 1980, in Madison Wis. They formed deep roots in the city where they raised their children and grandchildren, who were the loves of their lives.

Marcia worked as a family day care provider for about eight years, and taught preschool at New Morning Nursery School. After that she worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District from 1991 until retirement. Beginning work as a special education assistant, she then moved into a certified teacher position as a talented and gifted coordinator, and finally as an English/language arts/reading teacher, all at the middle school level. During this time Marcia also served on the board of directors for Turn Around Teen, an organization that supported teenagers both academically and socially/emotionally. The last four years of her career, Marcia was the reading interventionist at West High School, culminating her successful teaching career. She earned her Master's of Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2006 and her Reading License from Concordia University in 2014.

Marcia, with her friend, Becky Kilzer, created and facilitated the Community Read Summer Tutoring Program through the Madison Police Department, for children in southwest Madison. This program offered one-on-one reading tutoring to students who needed and wanted to improve their reading skills, using certified reading teachers. She was very proud of this accomplishment, and earned recognition from the MPD.

She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church from 1981 until her death. She participated in various activities, including Sarah Circle, teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible school, attending bible studies, volunteering with the annual Thanksgiving community meal, book studies, prayer chain, and as a Sunday morning coffee host. Marcia raised her children in the church, attending weekly worship, sending them to camp in the summer, and encouraging their involvement in choirs and other church programs.

The most important things in Marcia's life were her faith in Jesus and her love and devotion to her family. She cherished her dog, Benji, who she took almost anywhere dogs were allowed. She loved reading and was a member of two book clubs. She always had fresh flowers around the house, and looked forward to creating her potted planters and small garden every year. She enjoyed the sunshine and outdoors (swimming, biking, kayaking, hiking, etc.). She is proud to have participated in the swimming leg of two sprint triathlons in her 60s.

During COVID, when schools were in lockdown, Marcia led “grandma school” at her house for her two grandchildren. She created a year-long curriculum for both kids with creative and informative lessons, projects, and experiments. The grandkids remember often making monkey bread together. Marcia loved music and art, and in recent years dabbled in drawing, painting, sculpture, knitting, and crochet.

Marcia is survived by her husband of 45 years, Boris; their children, Katya (Mike Krajewski) Ouchakof, Mary (Sam) Kok, Peter Ouchakof; step-son, Michael Dartt; grandchildren, Joey and Ella Kok; dear sister, Barb (Steve) Kingsland; along with many beloved nieces and nephews, siblings, friends, and students. She is reunited in heaven with her parents; brother, David, nieces, Beth and Carrie; dear friend, Melanie; and many beloved friends, relatives, and pets.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, at 12 noon. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service, and a luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marcia’s honor to the Carbone Cancer Center (designated for triple negative breast cancer research), or to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (designated to outreach ministries). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Marcia Lynn Kohl Ouchakof

August 07, 1956 - May 19, 2025

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