Marlen Kae Kaiser, age 72, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019 due to complications from a brain injury in Hayward on January 3rd. She was med flighted to Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, WI, where she passed three days later. She was born September 26, 1946 in Madison, WI, the daughter of Leonard and Mary (Coyle) Zink. She was united in marriage to John Fredric Kaiser on June 7, 1980.

Marlen was a 1964 graduate of Madison East High School. She worked for over 17 years as a personal assistant for the CEO of Demco Inc. of Madison. She was active with her husband for several years with Ducks Unlimited. Marlen loved her place on Crane Lake and greatly enjoyed music and dancing while cruising on the pontoon on the Chippewa Flowage. She was also an avid flower gardener. She and John shared an enthusiasm for traveling and both enjoyed winters at their condo in the Florida Keys.

Marlen appreciated crafts and was a very good baker. Those who hosted dinners were always thrilled when Marlen offered to bring dessert. She was affectionately known as the “Muffin Lady” by friends and neighbors. Marlen was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed by the many lives she brought her sunlight to.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John F. Kaiser of Hayward; her children, Kim Ann (Chris) Engle of Grand Rapids, MI, David John (Nikki) Kaiser of Nolensville, TN, and Gina Ann (Pat) Wherley of Sun Prairie, WI; her grandchildren, Andy Engle, Rachel (Brennon) Dick, Ray Engle, Hayden Kaiser, Isabella Benoy, McCrae Barclay, Emily Wherley and Brendan Wherley; and her nieces and dear friends.

In addition to her parents, Marlen is preceded in death by her brother, Richard Zink.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at First Lutheran Church, 10680 Main Street in Hayward where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service. Pastor Joel Bacon will officiate. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the John F. and Marlen K. Kaiser Conservation Fund, c/o Natural Resource Foundation of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 2317, Madison, WI 53701.

Marlen Kae Kaiser, age 72, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019 due to complications from a brain injury at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, WI. She was born September 26, 1946 in Madison, WI, the daughter of Leonard and Mary (Coyle) Zink. She was united in marriage to John Fredric Kaiser.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at First Lutheran Church, 10680 Main Street in Hayward where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service. Pastor Joel Bacon will officiate. Interment will be private.

Last Update: Jan 16, 2019 8:42 am CST