Marion Heidenreiter died March 6th, 2013, 20 days short of her 93rd birthday. She was born in Sheboygan on March 26, 1920 to Gustave and Mary Stanger Jahn. Marion lived her entire life in Sheboygan, marrying Ernest Heidenreiter on April 14, 1951, in the parsonage of Zion Church. She worked her entire life in Sheboygan, as a secretary, office manager and finishing her work life by cooking at the Sheboygan County Jail when her husband Ernest was sheriff. Our Mom loved a good party, loved having friends nearby to play cards, bingo, sheepshead, and she loved to play the slots. She was a winner on the nickel machines, and was annoyed when there wasn't one available, except for the time at Potowatomi, when she won $1000 on the dollar Play Elvis slots, and didn't realize what had happened until the rest of us calmed down enough to explain. Nancy was with her in Las Vegas when she won a jackpot on a nickel machine and the attendant was slow to come around. She sent Nancy to get the woman, and be sure to tell her "I might die if she doesn't get here soon." Marion loved a bargain, be it a dinner with a coupon, or a good deal on a car. She was a planner, organized in the extreme, and always ready for a new experience. She loved having young people around, and was especially happy to be able to live with Ernie and his sons for the last 2 years, enjoying all the activity that surrounded her grandsons and their friends. She told us she loved the young people and even the noise, and that all the kids who came to the house were wonderful to her, treating her with respect and affection. Our Mom loved all of us, and supported us as we began our adult lives. She had a special place in her heart for the sons of her two sisters. She watched them as if they were her own. We tell the story of a camping trip to Door County. Marion's hair turned grey at a very young age, and while we were camping in Door County, a man asked if the 6 of us were her grandchildren (The oldest of us was probably 11). She was insulted, but when we repeated that story multiple times over the next 50 years, she always laughed the loudest. She adored her grandkids, and always had candy nearby when they visited. She was extremely proud that all of them graduated from college, and told everyone who would listen that she was blessed to have 7 amazing grandchildren. When she stopped driving, she gave her car to the Madison students, but the kids weren't all that excited about driving a "granny car". However, when the first of those who owned the car discovered the trunk could hold two half barrels of beer, or the entire weeks groceries for him and the 5 guys with whom he lived, the car became much more attractive and valuable. The 1997 Chevy Lumina lasted thru 4 kids, until it simply gave up from exhaustion in 2012. And Grandma was delighted that her car contributed to their special college experience. Marion is survived by two children, Nancy (Steven) Hoell of Seattle, Washington and Ernest Jr. of Howards Grove, Wisconsin, seven grandchildren, Christopher (Amy) Hoell of Minneapolis, Elizabeth (Andrew) Ehlert of Madison, Wisconsin, Anthony Hoell (Christie Maier) of Chicago, Mary Hoell (Rutger Parris) of Callabasses, California, Torry Heidenreiter of Phoenix, Eric Heidenreiter of DePere, Ryan Heidenreiter of Howard's Grove, Wisconsin, and one great-grandchild, Megan Hoell of Minneapolis. She is also survived by the 4 sons of her two sisters, Mike and Terry Lubenow and Jim and Bill Luckow, and many nieces and nephews from Ernest's large family. Marion was preceded in death by her husband Ernest in 1979, her sisters and brothers-in-law, Aduska (Leroy) Luckow, and Alice (Fred) Lubenow, her parents, Lee Schoen, her special friend since they attended kindergarten together in the mid-1920's, and many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be on Friday, March 15th from 10:00 AM until 11:00AM, with the service to follow at 11:00 AM at the Lippert-Olson Funeral Home, 1132 Superior Ave. in Sheboygan. Marion will be buried next to Ernest at the Wildwood Cemetery. We ask that you say a prayer for our Mom, and think of her with pleasure when you have dinner out or enjoy a well made Old Fashioned, always with a cherry.
