Margaret L. Jung

Margaret L. Jung, age 87, of Little Suamico, WI, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, surrounded by family in her home.
A Mass in Hope of Resurrection will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. Father John Swing will preside. The family will greet relatives and friends at the church from 9 AM to 11 AM. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Martins Cemetery in Buena Vista near Bancroft, Wisconsin.
Marge was born on May 23, 1937 in Menominee Michigan to the late Paul and Leona (Vandenberg) Koeppler. She graduated from Lourdes High School in Marinette, Wisconsin, class of 1955. Marge married Leonard F. Jung on January 26, 1957 at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Marinette Wisconsin. He died on July 5, 1982. In their first year of marriage they lived on an Air Force base in Upper Michigan. They adopted their two children, Lisa and Bob, and eventually moved to their family farm near Almond, Wisconsin. There Marge cared for a huge garden and, at one point, over 100 goats. Throughout her life Marge always had a Black Labrador retriever, always named Flossie. On the farm there was also the Black Angus bull named Putzer.
Lenny died of mesothelioma when Bob and Lisa were in their early teens. Marge sold the farm and studied to be a certified nursing assistant. For years she worked in various nursing homes as a CNA. Her children were her life. Her intensity to nourish, mentor, and protect her children as a single mom was outstanding. As a grandma and great grandma, she enjoyed spending time with her treasured grandchildren.
Marge was always dedicated to her church. She often helped with domestic work in the parish Rectory. Later, when Bob and Lisa were on their own, Marge became resident housekeeper at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. In this role she assisted Father John Swing for 26 years. Often she was the face of the parish as she answered the telephone or doorbell. Marge loved to cook and her personal pride is serving four different bishops throughout the years. She has a special affinity to who is now Cardinal Burke.
Marge loved to go to the casino. She would play the penny slots and sometimes come home with hundreds of dollars. Another favorite pastime was Marge’s love for fishing. When she was a little girl her dad would take her out on the breakwater in Menominee and they would catch perch. Marge was the last of six children. There was an eight year difference between Marge and her youngest sister. Her father called her the caboose. She was daddy’s girl and they would fish and harvest wild cranberries, feed the birds, work the garden, and immerse themselves in all of nature.
Marge was also an artist. She excelled in oil and acrylic painting. She loved to experiment with colors and would mix unlikely combinations to obtain the perfect tint. She loved to paint wildlife, especially birds.
Among Marge’s memorable events were plays at the Fireside Theater in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin or the Crystal Grand in Wisconsin Dells where she saw some of her favorites like John Denver, Roy Clark, and Merle Haggard or listening to the Hammond organ playing of Billy Anderson at the House of Embers. Marge loved music and played accordion at various dances in her early years. She knew the old songs and all of the words.
Marge is the last of the Mohicans. There are no more resident housekeepers in Catholic parishes. She was a blessing from God, a blessing to Sacred Heart. She knew everybody by name and loved her role in the middle of parish life. Moments of great joy and times of terrible tragedy are all part of the mix. Bishop Callahan, on one of his visits to Sacred Heart, remarked how much Sacred Heart Rectory was truly a home.
Marge is survived by her two children, Lisa Long (Dan) of Green Bay, WI, and Bob (Kelly) Jung of Plover, WI; Grandchildren, Joshua (Jessica) Long, Brandon Long, Emily Van Den Elzen (Joseph) and Noah Jung; great-grandchildren, Logan Long, Laney Long, Josie Long, and Ella Van Den Elzen.
Marge was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Jung; an unborn child; parents; brothers, Paul and Robert; and sisters, Katherine, Jeanette, and Mary (Pat).
Marge’s family would like to thank the caring staff of Unity Hospice for their loving and compassionate attention in these past few months.