Marilyn L'Heureux

MADISON--Marilyn Jane (Stein) L'Heureux, age 91, of Madison, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2018, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 30, 1927 in Detroit, MI, daughter of Henry Meinard and Irmengarde Elizabeth (Schulte) Stein. A true middle child with 3 older and 3 younger brothers, she grew up to be a strong and self-sufficient woman. She wanted to go to college after graduating from Grosse Pointe High in Detroit, but didn't expect her parents to put her through school. After working for a year at the Hudson Motor Car Company, she earned enough money to pay her way through Michigan State University, enrolling in the fall of 1945. There she met James L'Heureux and they married August 20, 1949 in Detroit. Soon after, they moved to Escanaba, MI where Jim began his career in the insurance industry and Lynn became a teacher.

For the next decade, Jim's job took them to Menominee, MI, Cedarburg, and Sun Prairie; before settling into their home on Council Crest in the Nakoma neighborhood of Madison in 1963. Lynn dedicated her life to raising her 8 children, creating a home filled with love, laughter, and lively conversation. After Jim's sudden death in 1986, she was thrust into the role of family matriarch and provider, working until age 70 at the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

Lynn was stoic, steadfast, and the rock of the family. She was endlessly patient and positive, never speaking negatively about anyone. She never wasted energy worrying, living instead by the motto, "No news is good news." She was an active volunteer in the community and imparted priceless lessons and words of wisdom on both her children and grandchildren, for which all are eternally grateful.

Lynn is survived by her 8 children and 20 grandchildren; Denise Marie of Dublin, OH and Nicholas, Tristan; Kathleen Ann (Patrick Remington) of Madison, WI and Jake, Frederick, Katie, Beth; Laura Lee (Mark Waegener) of Maplewood, MN and Derek, Caitlyn; Nanette (Mark Sellers) of Oshkosh, WI and Megan, Tyler, Ben; James Arthur (Chris Quinn) of Madison, WI and Jack, Daniel; Michele Lynn (Mike Bowen) of Anchorage, AK and Sarah, Andy, Anna; Margaret Mary (Muggins) (Chris Haerter) of Park City, UT and Natalie, CJ, Rachael; Christi (Andy Huth) of Nashotah, WI and Colin; 6 great-grandchildren; Grace, Nora, James, Gabe, Serenity, Zeke, and two "on the way;" and 3 brothers Carl, Jerry, and Paul. She is preceded in death by her husband James, parents Henry and Irmengarde, brothers Robert, James, and Richard, grandson Griffin Huth, and son-in-law Fritz Gunkel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Friday, August 17, 2018 with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler presiding. Family will greet friends, at church, one hour prior to Mass. A lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to her favorite charity, Heifer International or to charities supporting Down Syndrome, Autism, or suicide prevention.

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Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434