Margaret Irene Gunkel "Woodie" Seehafer

1923 - 2017

Seehafer, Margaret Irene Gunkel "Woodie"
October 1, 1923 - March 27, 2017
Margaret Irene Gunkel "Woodie" Seehafer, 93, died peacefully on March 27, 2017, at her home in Chicago.
Memorial service is 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15, at The Madison Club, 5 E. Wilson St., Madison, Wisc.
Born in Madison on Oct. 1, 1923, to Frederick and Ethel (nee Houlehan) Gunkel, Woodie graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1945 majoring in economics and psychology. She earned her MSW from University of Minnesota in 1949, and then served as a psychiatric social worker at the University. She entered the doctoral program at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, and she worked at the University's Department of Medicine.
Woodie joined the Illinois Department of Mental Health in the 1960's and became its deputy director. She subsequently taught at the School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She retired to Longboat Key, FL where she spent many happy years enjoying the sunshine and her family.
Woodie was a gracious hostess and had a fantastic sense of humor. She will be remembered for her distinctive laugh and her positive outlook. She loved to read and had a keen political mind as well as a sharp eye for modern design. She was devoted to her family.
Woodie was predeceased by her first husband, William Jefferson "Bill" Bleckwenn Jr. (1947), her third husband, Gene Seehafer (1996), her sisters Betty McCoy (2016) and Ione Carman (2013).
She is survived by her devoted son, Douglas Diamond (Elizabeth) of Chicago; her brother Ted Gunkel (Linda) of Madison, WI; two grandchildren; one great grandchild; and many loving relatives.
Memorials in lieu of flowers: The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104, (888-414-7752).