Maryann R Steckling

MADISON - Shortly after MaryAnn returned to her assisted living facility and signed up for hospice, we found a note pad with her handwriting which was the start of her self-authored obituary. I typed it up and we read it to her (and got her to translate some of her shorthand notes). We were going to work with her to make an outline of things she wanted to include in the story of her life, but she was too tired that day and for the next few days, and when she perked up during the last several days, there never was a good opportunity to continue with the process. So here, in MaryAnn’s own words is the start of her life story.

~Glenn Mitroff                              

“MaryAnn Ruth Steckling, was born on Sept. 14, 1929, and transitioned on May 8, 2023. She grew up in Wausau, Wis., the first of two daughters. She enjoyed many car trips with her family of four to her grandfather's farm 10 miles north of Wausau. She watched cows and animals. Her sister was born when she was 3 years old.

She also enjoyed the company of many aunts, uncles and cousins growing up. When her friends called her Mary, her mother reminded them "Her name is MaryAnn." MaryAnn was a lover of knowledge. Her education continued throughout her life with countless classes, training sessions and workshops. At age 15, she worked as a private secretary for the owner of the Kickbush wholesale grocery company, her first job after high school. She worked for a year to save money for college.”  (end of MaryAnn’s note)

MaryAnn began her college studies in Wausau where she met her lifetime friend, Bev Lampe. She transferred to UW Madison, studying medical microbiology. After graduation she worked at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene. She later studied social work and worked for a few years with children and families in Milwaukee. Ultimately, she received a master’s degree in teaching and taught second grade at Maywood School in Monona for 25 years. She prided herself in the excellent results she got using the Carden method for teaching reading.

MaryAnn loved outdoor activities including bicycling, hiking, canoeing, camping, x-country and downhill skiing which she did well into her 80’s. She was deeply involved with American Youth Hosteling (AYH) leading months long trips throughout Europe during her summers off from teaching. Through AYH she met her longtime friend, Witchie Konle, with whom she shared many outdoor adventures. In addition, they helped to establish Friendship Center Camp which combines outdoor experiences and reading for inner city Milwaukee youth. In September of 2022, MaryAnn was thrilled to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of Friendship Center in rural Dodgeville, Wis.

MaryAnn was an early adopter of Transcendental Meditation in the United States, travelling to Switzerland for several summers to assist the founder Maharishi with curriculum development. Throughout the past several decades, she travelled frequently to Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa.

MaryAnn was a dance enthusiast, regularly participating in English Country, Scottish and Contra dances. She performed for many years with the Folklore Village International Dancers and the Italian Folk Dancers of Madison. MaryAnn’s dance “home” was Folklore Village in rural Dodgeville, Wis., where she was a “fixture” and welcoming presence as she attended almost every dance, concert, festival and other events over a period of more than 50 years. She also attended summer dance camps throughout the United States, including the Maine Folk Dance camps.

MaryAnn loved taking advantage of the many educational, social, and cultural opportunities that living in the Madison area afforded. Her friends referred to her as the “energizer bunny” since she kept a schedule that many of her younger friends envied. She attended outdoor festivals, concerts and dances and regularly enjoyed performances by Madison Opera and the Madison Symphony. MaryAnn was passionately engaged with alternative medicine and nutrition throughout her life. She was a long-time member of the PLATO group at the UW Madison.

One of MaryAnn’s passions was gardening at her ¾ acre property in Monona. She had extensive perennial beds, landscape trees and shrubs and a fruit orchard. Thanks to the help of her friend, David Eagan, she was able to continue gardening into her 90th year.

MaryAnn loved to travel and made many trips throughout the U.S. and Europe. She also traveled to Turkey and Egypt. She cherished her family and friends and kept in touch through annual visits and frequent phone calls, cards, and letters. Her long-time companion, Maier Novick, passed in 2020. MaryAnn is survived by her sister, Elaine; and loving nieces and nephews and their families.

MaryAnn will be remembered for her kindness, optimism, and enthusiasm. Perhaps most of all, we will remember her almost ever-present smile.  

A “Celebration of MaryAnn’s Life” will take place at FOLKLORE VILLAGE FARM, 3210 County Road BB, Dodgeville, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Memorial contributions may be made to Folklore Village. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420