IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Marlene
Jennings
March 12, 1935 – January 11, 2025
Obituary
Marlene V. (nee Zuehlke) Jennings (1935-2025)
Marlene Verona Jennings, 89, of Slinger, Wisconsin died peacefully at High Point Residence in Germantown, Wisconsin the morning of January 11th, 2025.
She was born at home on March 12 th , 1935 to Elmer and Marcella (Steiner) Zuehlke at the family homestead in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Growing up on "The Farm" she gained a lifelong love for gardening and seeing plants grow and flowers bloom.
After graduating from the Kewaskum Public Schools in 1953, Marlene became the first of her family to continue on to college, graduating with a Bachelor's degree from the Milwaukee Teacher's College (now UW Milwaukee) in 1957 and a Master's degree in Special Education from Cardinal Stritch College in 1966. While teaching grades K-8 in the Milwaukee Public Schools, she met her husband, DeWitt "De" Cotter Jennings, whom she loved so much she married him twice. The first time was by a justice of the peace (Illinois, June 12, 1958) with their best friends, Don and Helen Kroupa as witnesses. Then again with a formal church marriage for the family (Kewaskum, WI June 13th, 1959).
In 1960 they moved to Slinger, Wisconsin building their warm and welcoming home with fieldstone painstakingly taken from the property. There they raised their three children and hosted many parties and family gatherings by the warmth of a wood fire. Aside from how to cut and haul wood, her children were taught how to sew, cook, pull weeds, fish, canoe and camp. A teacher to the core, Marlene loved to host a party, share a laugh and offer any information she had gathered along the way. She enjoyed working on Genealogy and collected many interesting facts about the family.
Marlene is survived by her children Kelly (Robert) Jordan, Steven (Patti) Jennings and Ryan (Karin) Jennings as well as her four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband DeWitt Cotter Jennings, her brother Norman Zuehlke, sister-in-law Helen (Kimmerling) Zuehlke and her beloved longtime companion, Robert 'Bob' Matheus.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 18 th , 2025 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 799 St. Paul Drive, Slinger, WI 53086. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. with the church service at 12 noon. A graveside burial service will be held at a later date for family members.
The family wishes to thank the director and dedicated caregivers at High Point Residence for their good work and loving on our mom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation https://theclcf.org/ , Christian Life Resources www.christianlifersorces.com or the charity of your choice in honor of Marlene Jennings.
The Phillip Funeral Home is serving the family, 262-338-2050 / phillipfuneralhome.com
Marlene Verona Jennings, 89, of Slinger, Wisconsin died peacefully at High Point Residence in Germantown, Wisconsin the morning of January 11th, 2025.
She was born at home on March 12 th , 1935 to Elmer and Marcella (Steiner) Zuehlke at the family homestead in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Growing up on "The Farm" she gained a lifelong love for gardening and seeing plants grow and flowers bloom.
After graduating from the Kewaskum Public Schools in 1953, Marlene became the first of her family to continue on to college, graduating with a Bachelor's degree from the Milwaukee Teacher's College (now UW Milwaukee) in 1957 and a Master's degree in Special Education from Cardinal Stritch College in 1966. While teaching grades K-8 in the Milwaukee Public Schools, she met her husband, DeWitt "De" Cotter Jennings, whom she loved so much she married him twice. The first time was by a justice of the peace (Illinois, June 12, 1958) with their best friends, Don and Helen Kroupa as witnesses. Then again with a formal church marriage for the family (Kewaskum, WI June 13th, 1959).
In 1960 they moved to Slinger, Wisconsin building their warm and welcoming home with fieldstone painstakingly taken from the property. There they raised their three children and hosted many parties and family gatherings by the warmth of a wood fire. Aside from how to cut and haul wood, her children were taught how to sew, cook, pull weeds, fish, canoe and camp. A teacher to the core, Marlene loved to host a party, share a laugh and offer any information she had gathered along the way. She enjoyed working on Genealogy and collected many interesting facts about the family.
Marlene is survived by her children Kelly (Robert) Jordan, Steven (Patti) Jennings and Ryan (Karin) Jennings as well as her four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband DeWitt Cotter Jennings, her brother Norman Zuehlke, sister-in-law Helen (Kimmerling) Zuehlke and her beloved longtime companion, Robert 'Bob' Matheus.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 18 th , 2025 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 799 St. Paul Drive, Slinger, WI 53086. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. with the church service at 12 noon. A graveside burial service will be held at a later date for family members.
The family wishes to thank the director and dedicated caregivers at High Point Residence for their good work and loving on our mom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation https://theclcf.org/ , Christian Life Resources www.christianlifersorces.com or the charity of your choice in honor of Marlene Jennings.
The Phillip Funeral Home is serving the family, 262-338-2050 / phillipfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marlene Jennings, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
January
18
St. Paul Ev Lutheran Church
10:00 - 11:45 am
Memorial Service
January
18
St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church
Starts at 12:00 pm
Interment
Marlene Jennings's Guestbook
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