Marguerite Payleitner Obituary

Marguerite M. Payleitner

Born: Feb. 11, 1927

Died: May 24, 2015

Marguerite Mary Payleitner was called "Marge" by friends and "Margie" by Kenneth, her husband of 60 years. After their first grandchildren were born, Marge and Ken became affectionately known by just about everyone they met as "Mimi and Papa." Mimi died peacefully Sunday morning, May 24, 2015.

She was born February 11, 1927, and grew up in Kenosha and Beloit Wisconsin, the oldest of eight children. She worked at Fairbanks-Morse Manufacturing during World War II and, through her cousin, was introduced to Kenny after his return from serving in the Philippines.

They were married on August 19, 1950, and moved to Geneva, Illinois for Ken's job as a teacher and then principal at Harrison Street School. She served at the first banquet held at Pheasant Run and continued working there for 35 years making many friends and seeing many changes at the resort.

Marge and Ken were active members of St. Peter's Catholic Church until 1969, when they moved to St. Charles and St. Patrick's parish. They served as literacy volunteers and enjoyed dancing with the Cotillion Club for many years.

Following Papa's death in 2011, Mimi continued building her legacy of love with her grandkids and great-grandkids and spent the last three years at Greenfields Retirement Community.

Even though she grew up cheering for the White Sox, she married a Cubs' fan and Mimi and Papa traveled to Mesa, Arizona for spring training for ten years. They also enjoyed cheering on their grandkids in golf, tennis, lacrosse, softball, football, baseball, wrestling, bowling, track, soccer, basketball, volleyball, band and choir. A wonderful cook and homemaker, Mimi made pies from scratch, hosted scores of summer family picnics, and passed on dozens of recipes and kitchen tips especially to her seven granddaughters.

In a poem written for her 80th birthday, Mimi was described by her late husband as, "generous, selfless, courageously strong ... faithful Christian, nurturing guardian ... source of all that is good and pure, God's gift to each of us."

Mimi is survived by four children, Mary Kay Coleman of Geneva, Mark (Chris) Payleitner of St. Charles, Jay (Rita) Payleitner of St. Charles, and Sue (Dwight) Curran of Poplar Grove; 11 grandchildren, Katie (Eric) Nelson, Rebecca and Alyssa Payleitner, Stephanie (Kevin) Kiesel, Alec (Lindsay), Randall (Rachel), Maximilian (Megan), Isaac (Kaitlin), and Rae Anne Payleitner, and Emily and Mackenzie Curran; six great-grandchildren, Cole, Rita, and Lucy Nelson; Judah, Jackson, and Emerson Payleitner; and a nephew, Gary (Linda) Pauly of Michigan. Also her siblings, Marvin Mauel, Ginny (Jerry) Mills, Eleanor (Larry) Christofferson, Billy (Pat) Mauel' sister-in-law, Rory Mauel; and more than 50 nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, Orlando and Barbara (Mares) Mauel; sisters, Mary Ann and Phyllis; and brother, Robert Mauel, all of Beloit, Wisconsin.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, May 27, at 12:30 at St. Patrick's Crane Road Church, 6N491 Crane Road, St. Charles, IL 60175. Funeral Mass was celebrated immediately following at 2:00 p.m., Father Ryan Browning, celebrant. Burial followed Mass at Prairie Cemetery, St. Charles Township. Light supper followed at the church fellowship hall at 4:00 p.m.

Arrangements handled by Malone Funeral Home 324 East State Street, Geneva, 630-232-8233 or visit www.malonefh.com.