Marilyn Ruecking, McFarland/Fitchburg, born well in the Bronx, NYC on October 17, 1938, died peacefully on September 9th. A daughter, sister, mother, lover, spouse, step-mother, grandmother and friend - especially a friend. Her youth as an adventurous and inquisitive child, a subway miscreant seeking culture and knowledge around the five boroughs, excelling in school, then up-state as camp counselor, ever the Yankee fan. Intelligent by birth, graduate of CCNY, a scientist and critic by training, an outdoors person in 5 states and Canada, fifty-eight years wed across three men, and well-read by interest all enabled exceptional skills in parenting, cooking, fun, money and management. She had employments as a biology teacher, in hospital, laboratory and information technologies, union steward and insurance analysis. Scientist and critic later enabled her to manage and control long time challenges with Rheumatoid Arthritis and its complex formulary. A reader and lover of museums, music (classical/folk) and all the theater arts she would urge you to attend live performances and support artists. Tender to animals and nature, she supported eco-causes and brought wildlife into her life but doted on her family and pets. She supported charities devoted to peace, human rights and liberties, ACLU-WI, PP-WI, and public media. Memorials in her name are gratefully accepted at The Carter Center in Atlanta.

Marilyn Ruecking died leaving two siblings, two daughters, sons-in-law, four step-children, two nieces, many grandchildren and assorted progeny, loving friends, a third husband and an old dog in her wake.