Marlene Driessen (Smukowski), Age 88 of Hayward, WI passed away on Friday July 7th 2023 while in care of Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center in Owen, WI.

Marlene was born on November 5th, 1934 in Milwaukee, WI to Edwin and Catherine Smukowski (Putzi).

Having grown up in Milwaukee, WI, she graduated from Lincoln High School on the Southside of Milwaukee.

After high school, Marlene attended Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) for business classes and quickly became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). This is where she met her future husband, Lloyd. They were married at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Milwaukee, WI on April 7th, 1956. They resided in Milwaukee for a brief time until moving to Muskego, WI to begin a family and start planning their future dreams. Marlene was not only a very busy mother, wife, and homemaker, she also worked as a CPA and provided tax services for many companies around the southern Wisconsin area. In 1970, they discovered and moved to Hayward, WI where they purchased a gas station and delivered heating oil and fuel for fishing boats to many local resorts. Along with raising 5 children, Marlene continued to do all the office, bookkeeping and taxes for the entire business. This allowed them the resources to design, fund and build their family home on Smith Lake to raise their 5 children in the wonderful Hayward north woods.

Upon arriving in Hayward, Marlene and Lloyd became very active members of the community. They joined St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and Co-Founded the Civil Air Patrol Wild Rivers Composite Squadron. Marlene accomplished both her Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Hospital/Medical Administration from the University Wisconsin Eau Claire (UWEC) all through night school programs. She loved to continually travel by car to all 50 states for business and pleasure while seeing as many wonders as possible along the way. She volunteered for Fishing Has No Boundaries, sang in the church choir, walked in nature every day, substitute taught at Hayward Community Schools, taught college classes at LCO Community College, became heavily involved in senior aging and health concerns for the State of Wisconsin. She also led a monthly free disbursement program of healthy farmers market food to the underprivileged in Northern Wisconsin. She would regularly crochet beautiful blankets and clothing along with teaching others this amazing art. Marlene always proudly supported her 5 children in all their extracurricular activities. After retiring, in addition to her hobbies of traveling, bowling, crochet, walking, cooking, gardening, and singing, Marlene continued to teach and conduct state-wide health seminars to seniors.

Marlene is joining her loving husband of 67 years, Lloyd, in heaven. Survived by her children Ken, Glenn (Rupe), Jamie, Bill, and Cathy (Cat), and her 6 grandchildren Amanda, Daniel, Sam, Jonah, Olivia, and Sarah. She is also survived by her brother Thomas. She is preceded in death by her husband Lloyd, brother Edwin Jr, sister Carol, and parents Catherine & Edwin.

Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 P.M. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 10586 Dakota Avenue in Hayward.  Fr. David Neuschwander celebrant. A reception will follow in the church hall.

Last Update: Jul 18, 2023 1:10 pm CDT