Marie Mace

1947 - 2023

In loving memory of Marie Louise (Wegner) Mace, a cherished mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and grandmother from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who passed away December 31,2023 in Savannah, Georgia. Marie was born in Lamberton, Minnesota, on August 4, 1947, to Opal (Carlson) and Russell Wegner. Her life was a testament to love, kindness and resilience. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, laughter, and enduring connections. Marie's nurturing spirit touched the lives of all who knew her, and her memory will ever be etched in our hearts. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love she so generously shared throughout her remarkable journey.

Marie left behind her loving husband of 40 years, Ken and two daughters, Sonya (Dale) Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Leah (Kevin Schrader) Studer of London, England. Her grandchildren, Erik (Amanda) Nelson of Appleton, Wisconsin, Lauren Nelson, Kate Nelson of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Charlie, Finn and Louay Studer Schrader of London, England. Marie leaves behind her sister, Janet (Arnie) Uhlig of Palatine, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother Dale (Cynthia) Wegner of Waseca, Minnesota.

Throughout Marie's career in public administration, she provided leadership and direction to several human services organizations. She started as the founding Executive Director at Adults Care, Inc., (currently North Star Community Services) and Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo, Iowa. While in Waterloo she was very involved with the Junior League of Waterloo, where she volunteered countless hours. She moved to Iowa City in 1986 to complete her degree in Aging Studies at the University of Iowa while serving as Director at Ecumenical Towers, a senior housing community. Marie and Ken moved to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1989 where she worked as Executive Director of the Central Iowa Housing Authority (CIRHA) while completing her Master of Public Administration at Drake University. They then moved to Oak Park, Illinois, in 1994 where she served as Director of the Oak Park Township Senior Services. Marie ended her career as a Senior Vice President of the Curative Care Network in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For the past few years Marie, Ken and their puppy Ruby, have spent their winters on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, near the beach Marie loved, and their summers in Milwaukee near family and friends.

A Memorial service for Marie will be organized sometime in the summer of 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.