Marilynn "Meg" Steinhardt

Marilynn (Meg) Margaret Merline Steinhardt, 77, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 12, 2023.

"I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself what a wonderful world"

I’m the second child of twelve siblings and was born on Dec. 29th, 1945 in Green Bay, WI to Frankie and Jerry Merline. Our family lived in the beautiful little town of De Pere on the banks of the Fox River. It was a wonderful time to be a kid; games in the 'side yard', ice skating at Flag and Legion Parks, park dances and so much more. Our family spent summers on Thunder Lake where I grew to love nature; the sighting of a newborn fawn, the sound of the Whippoorwill, the mournful call of the loons, the inviting spring fed lake and oh, so many hours on water skis. I was one of the original Crivitz Ski Cats and performed with the water ski show for two years. I loved to snow ski, too, and relished the thrill of the slope and graceful glide of the skis. I delighted in a good blizzard or a loud thunderstorm and enjoyed music, books, wine and theater. It seemed I rarely met a stranger which made life interesting and fun!

"I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself what a wonderful world"

"The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by

I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do

They're really saying I love you"

Stephen Fay and I were married on September 19, 1970, and lived in Chicago and Dallas. Steve died in 1985 in an auto accident. It was a very difficult time for me. I immersed myself in work with a not-for-profit that provided goods and services to children in foster- adoptive care.

In 2000 I decided to move back to Green Bay to be near my parents. I didn’t realize how much I missed the Midwest! I got involved with volunteer work which led to two major happenings in my life.

In 2002 three friends and I saw a need for an emotional and financial resource for those with breast cancer in our region. That vision became the Ribbon of Hope Foundation.

And then, in 2003, a friend asked me to meet with her friend to help plan an event. That led to fireworks and falling head over heels in love with Clark Steinhardt. We were like 16-year-olds again. I’ll never forget our first kiss under the streetlamp outside the Union Hotel. We were engaged in 2004 and married in a beautiful, music filled ceremony at Pilgrim Church in 2007. I’m so fortunate to love and be loved by this handsome, gentle, intelligent and kind man.

We’ve had a magical romance and marriage. Clark, I love you! And, I really don’t want to leave you. We haven’t had enough time together.

I've been fortunate to have lifelong friends and friends I only knew for brief periods. Each of you gave me joy, laughter and lessons learned. I LOVE to laugh! So thank you to everyone that made me laugh! Especially the SJA FRIENDS group. I especially want to thank Heidi and Tom Kitslaar for including us in all their family magic at their Thunder Lake cottage.

"I hear babies crying, I watch them grow

They'll learn much more than I'll never know

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world"

Though I didn’t have children I’ve been fortunate to have nieces and nephews that I adore. Clark and I have three darling granddaughters that we dearly love. Clark and I say my motto is “I’ve never met a child or a dog that I didn’t love.”

I’m survived by my beloved Clark, siblings; Mary Ellen (Dean) Eslien, Ann (Chuck) Meyer, Judy (Doug) Martin, John Merline, Kathy Johnson, Jeanne (Tim) McKenna. Jim Merline, Molly (Todd) Laverty, Susan (Kevin) Pasterski, Bob Merline; sister-in law, Maureen Merline, Clark’s sister, Sue Feitl, my sister of the heart. Nieces and nephews and great- nieces and nephews I DEARLY love!, and friends and the FRIENDS group. To the FRIENDS group … I hope there’s a Gilson’s in heaven! Stepchildren; Rick (Jenny) Steinhardt, Sara (John) Steinhardt Chapman and step granddaughters; Abigayle, Kailey and Erica.

I was preceded in death by my parents; my brother, Tom Merline; my in-laws, Alice and Phil Steinhardt; brother-in-law, Dave Feitl, and Stephen Fay.

If you like, a donation to the Ribbon of Hope would be very kind.

“And I say to myself ... what a Beautiful World!”

Clark and I want to thank Lori Collar. There are not enough words to thank you for your care, encouragement and loving kindness. You are one of God’s angels. Clark and I thank our niece, Elizabeth Kitslaar, the UW team; Dr. Bill Hartman, Dr. Mark Burkard and Dr. Lee Wilke. Dr. David Groteluchen and his team at GBO, and Unity Hospice. Thank you for all that you do for so many! God Bless you!

                    Clark, I love you!

Family and friends may gather on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care, 860 N. Webster Avenue, De Pere, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 5:00 pm at the funeral home. If you like, a donation to the Ribbon of Hope would be very kind.

Condolences can be shared at cotterfuneralhome.com.