Marianne Kartheiser

Mrs. Marianne C. Kartheiser passed away at Sage Meadow Memory in Middleton on Tuesday evening, Oct. 22, 2019. She was 81 years old.

Marianne was born in Milwaukee on May 14, 1938, the daughter of William and Corinne Lembezeder Weege.

She grew up in Port Washington, graduating from St. Mary’s Catholic School and Port Washington High School, Class of 1956, before continuing her education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  

She was united in marriage with Arnold Kartheiser in 1978 at St. Peter of Alcantara Catholic Church in Port Washington. He preceded her in death in 1987.

Marianne had worked as a bookkeeper at BC Ziegler and as a bank teller at Port Washington State Bank before she found her true passion as an art restoration specialist.  Most recently, she had worked with Tony Rajer at Fine Arts Conservation.

Mrs. Kartheiser was a member of Friedens Evangelical Church in Port Washington and had been an active member of the Port Washington Historical Society, serving as a past president and directing lighthouse tours. She volunteered with the Kohler Foundation as well.  

One of Marianne’s favorite activities was singing with the Ozaukee Chorus. While attending rehearsal one evening, she met Ivan House. That evening began a loving relationship that lasted more than 25 years. Ivan preceded Marianne in death in 2013. She later moved from their home in Fredonia to Middleton.

Survivors include her son Chris (Mary Ann) Fawcett of Madison, daughter Lauri Wells of Dallas, grandchildren Allana (Matt Raeffelle) Wells and Jesse (Stephanie) Wells, both of Dallas, and great-grandchildren Vada, Jovie, Weston and Cameron, all of Dallas.  

Marianne is further survived by siblings William (Sue Steinmann) Weege of Arena, Wis., Louise (Darrell) Jansa of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Henry Weege of Cornucopia, Wis., nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

A funeral service was held on Sunday, Oct. 27, at Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marianne’s name are strongly suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.