Marilyn Rita Hengel Finn

1928 - 2025

Marilyn Rita ("Mutz") Hengel Finn

May 5, 1928 - November 5, 2025

Marilyn passed away peacefully at home on November 5, 2025, surrounded by her daughter Kathy, son Mike, and daughter-in-law Mary. Marilyn was born May 5, 1928, in La Crosse, to Nic and Lillian (Spika) Hengel. She attended the original St. Wenceslaus Grade School and then Aquinas High School, graduating in 1946. She married the love of her life, Donald ("Porky") Finn on May 22, 1948, at St. Wenceslaus Church, La Crosse. Mutz and Porky enjoyed 72 loving years together.

After graduating from high school Marilyn worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Bernard Doyle. Later she did book-keeping for her father with the Nic Hengel Plbg. Co. From 1950 to 1954 Marilyn worked in the Accounting Dept. at the Trane Co. From 1954 until 1971 Marilyn & Don raised their three children, Mike, Mary Sue and Kathy. During those years, especially when the children were in elementary school at Blessed Sacrament, she volunteered in various roles at the school and with the Girl Scouts. She then decided to balance her parenting and home-making with work outside the home as a receptionist and secretary to Dr. Odell Anderson, who a few years later was joined by Dr. Tim Durtsche, Oral Surgeons, until she retired in December 1984.

Marilyn was a faithful member and held offices in several non profit organizations and participated in other organizations. After retirement she and her husband volunteered at St. Francis Medical Center. She served as Eucharistic Minister at Cathedral Church for 20 plus years. For several years, Marilyn worked as the parish coordinator for Mobile Meals and then as a substitute, delivering meals to shut-ins. She helped with rummage sales and funeral lunches at church when needed and sang in the adult choir for several years. Participating in daily Holy Mass was a priority; then whatever happened that day was okay.

Within her strong marriage she also strengthened her Catholic faith. Faith, husband and family were loved unconditionally. She cared for her mom through cancer until her death in 1993 and later gave much time to her Aunt Anna Schmikla and Uncle Ed Spika. The death of her daughter MarySue in 2005 was a profound loss, which she carried with her daily, in her thoughts and prayers. Mary Sue was a very talented and delightful daughter.

A very important part of her life was her parents' (Spika family) summer cottage on the Mississippi just south of Stoddard. She was two years old when it was built and 69 years of age when they parted with it; leaving lasting memories of all their families, extended families and a zillion friends.

During the great years that were Mutz and Porky's marriage, they enjoyed a fun social life with parties at their cottage or the Flynn's, boating on the Mississippi or dancing, esp. with the Continental Dance Group at the Concordia Hall, and cross-country skiing with the gang. Their travels took them to Ireland, Hawaii (x2), St. Thomas, Alaska and many other states, mostly to visit family or friends. A most memorable trip in 2000 was with her daughter Kathy to Rome and to Czechoslovakia to visit Grandpa Vit's village of Branna, near Prague.

Survivors include two children: son, Michael (Mary) Finn of Peebles, OH and Kathy of Chicago, Il. Marilyn is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her devoted husband Porky, her parents Nic & Lil Hengel, three brothers: Herbert, Donald and Robert and beloved daughter, Mary Sue.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am, November 17, at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Rev. Billy Dodge officiating. Visitation will be on the day of the funeral beginning at 9:30am at Blessed Sacrament.

Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorials may be given to Casa Hogar mission or another charity of your choice, the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Aquinas Catholic Schools or Catholic Charities.

For a more complete obituary, please visit the Blaschke & Schneider website (https://www.blaschkeschneider.com ).