Marilyn Kathryn Barnett, 85, Green Bay, passed away with her family by her side on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2015.
Marilyn was born July 6, 1930, to the late Joseph and Alice (Hohn) Dillenburg in Belle Plaine in Shawano County. She attended Beversdorf Grade School, graduated from Shawano High School in 1948 and completed nurse’s training at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Wausau in 1951.
Marilyn met her beloved husband, James A. Barnett, through a blind date, on St. Patrick’s Day in Milwaukee. After three dates and numerous love letters, they married on Aug. 23, 1954, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano.
Marilyn dedicated much of her time caring for others. She worked as a registered nurse at Shawano Municipal Hospital, Columbus Hospital in Chicago and then at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay for 30 years. There she worked in obstetrics, the newborn nursery and the psychiatric unit. After serving many years as nurse manager in the psychiatric unit, she retired in 1990.
Marilyn was very devoted to her family and friends. She enjoyed spending time baking bread, reading, watching the Brewers and listening to jazz music, especially her son’s. She was also a faithful member at St. Bernard Catholic Church and served in the Renew Program. Marilyn was also a member of the parish council and the Knights of Columbus wives group at St. Bernard and other faith-based programs in the community.
Marilyn is survived by her two children, Ann Marie (Mark) Rothe, Green Bay, and Kevin (Regina) Barnett, Eagle River, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Dan (Kelly) Rothe, Kathryn (Nicholas) Schiefelbein and Elizabeth Rothe; three great-grandchildren, James and Leah Schiefelbein and Dominick Rothe; sisters, Ruth (John) Zehren, Shirley Dillenburg; niece, Alicia (Tom) Smith; great-nephews, Jack and Benjamin Smith; and great-niece, Madeline Smith.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Rachel Dillenburg.
Friends and family may call at the Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., Green Bay, from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, with a parish wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue after 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2040 Hillside Lane, Green Bay, until the time of Mass. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with her cousin, the Rev. James Dillenburg, officiating.
In lieu of floral expressions, a scholarship fund has been established in Marilyn’s name.
Online condolences may be sent to the Barnett family at www.prokowall.com.
Deep gratitude goes to the all the health care professionals and ICU team who cared for Marilyn at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay.
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