Marilyn Jean Thanos

Marilyn Jean Thanos (née Schill), 87, formerly of Milwaukee entered her heavenly home on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. She was born on November 4, 1933 in Ashford, Wisconsin, the daughter of Michael and Sophie (Puchalski) Schill. On November 11, 1967, Marilyn married Charles “Chuck” Thanos at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Milwaukee.

From her humble educational beginnings in a one room school in Ashford, Marilyn’s lifelong dedication to academics was born. She graduated as class valedictorian from Campbellsport High School, earned an undergraduate degree at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee and completed her Master’s degree in Communication at Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois.

Marilyn’s sense of adventure and independence was evident early on as she and a friend decided to drive to southern California to begin their teaching careers in the mid 1950s. Lacking the proper certification to teach in California, they were undeterred, working odd jobs until they fulfilled the requirements. She traveled back to Wisconsin during the summers where her youngest siblings knew her as “the teacher who visits us”, not quite understanding she was their older sister.

After a few years teaching in California, Marilyn and a friend decided to raid their meager teacher’s savings and travel extensively throughout Europe. At the beginning of her trip, she bought a car in Germany to support her travels and later accompanied it back to the United States.

Returning to Wisconsin, Marilyn began teaching at Homestead High School in Mequon where she coached the debate and forensic teams and also directed school dramatic performances. It was at Homestead via colleague Aphie Thanos that Marilyn met her future husband Chuck. Marilyn and Chuck enjoyed 47 years of marriage until his death in 2015. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Andrew, Michael and Diana. She later welcomed daughter-in-law April and son-in-law Andrew Banaszynski with open arms into the family.

Marilyn paused her professional career to raise her children and then returned to teach Communications at Alverno College in Milwaukee. She later directed the Experiential Learning Program there, helping students gain valuable professional experience through internships until her retirement in 1997.

While losing her daughter Diana in 2003 proved the most difficult period for Marilyn, she never let that immense loss define her life. She greatly treasured her memories with Diana and strived to find joy and happiness in the years that followed. Through it all, Marilyn’s strong faith carried her and she was an active member of St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church in Milwaukee, serving on the parish council and also as a frequent lector at Mass.

As a later in life grandmother, Marilyn (Nana) thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her grandson Amory and granddaughter Auburn. She followed their many activities with much enthusiasm, especially when she could attend in person.

In September 2019, Marilyn sold the long-time family home in Milwaukee and moved to Lake View Place in Fond du Lac. Despite the challenges of Covid-19 and being locked down in her unit for much of 2020, Marilyn’s outgoing personality and her savvy use of technology, allowed her to stay in close contact with her family and many friends.

Survivors include her sons Andrew (April) Thanos and Michael Thanos, grandchildren Amory and Auburn, son-in-law Andrew Banaszynski, siblings Richard (Myrtle) Schill, Rosanne Schill Uelmen, Carol (Ron) Moore, Patricia (Gary) Schwartz, Michael Schill Jr., Thomas (Lydia) Schill and David (Laurie) Schill, sisters-in-law Helen Haefer and LeNore Schill, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Chuck, daughter Diana Banaszynski, brother John, brothers-in-law Harold “Jim” Uelmen and David Mielke, nephew Patrick Schill and niece Tammy Moore.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 27th at 11:00 am at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 406 E. Main Street, Campbellsport. Rev. Mark Jones will officiate. Visitation will be at the Church from 10:00 am until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family will be directed to an educational foundation. Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with an online guestbook and condolences are at www.twohigfunerals.com.