Marie A Hinzpeter

The kindness of one’s heart, what a person truly stands for, and the life they lead – and

the legacy they leave - is often measured by what someone says about you when

you’re not around.

Marie Alice Hinzpeter (nee Shannon) was so full of zest for life that passing away was

really not on her radar. A world without her light and humble, happy energy wasn’t a

possibility. Marie always had a genuine excitement about every day, even if it was just a

day of listening to WGN on the radio or writing out her favorite recipes to share with

family and friends. On August 18, 2025, surrounded by her family and holding her

daughter’s hand, Marie passed away peacefully after 101 amazing years of life.

Marie was born in the Bronx, New York on May 30, 1924 around noon. Her twin brother,

William, was born just before her. Marie attended the Jane Adams Vocational High

School in the Bronx. Upon graduation, Marie worked at the Grand Central Post Office in

Manhattan, New York. She loved reading the postcards as she sorted mail. After moving

to Wisconsin, Marie worked at the Playboy Hotel (later Americana Resort) as a

housekeeper, earning employee of the month many times. Marie was a hard worker and

very determined.

Marie was an eternal optimist and loved dancing to the Jitterbug and the Jive Bunny

and roller skating. She would dance with anyone and made sure her children and

grandchildren knew the song “Roll Out the Barrel” and how to do the Polka. While Marie

was Bronx-by-birth, she was a Packer fan for life and loved watching games with her

grandchildren and always wore her Green Bay Packer baseball cap when hanging

laundry on the clothesline.

Marie lived for her family in every capacity. She was a teacher, mother, best friend,

confidant, adventure buddy, caregiver, partner in crime, and chief visionary for likely

hundreds of birthday cakes. Marie was known by many nicknames: Mabel, Grams,

Grams Bear, Granny, Great Nams, My Little Mom, Mamma, and Ma. Marie, in turn, had

nicknames for everyone she loved. Being around her was easy, regardless of the

location, activity, or time of day.

She had several key, catchy phrases that truly define her genuine nature:

“Kill ‘em with kindness.” Move forward and live a good life and leave the strife and anger

behind you. Rise above the drama.

“Is everybody happy?!” Marie would enthusiastically shout this at the most unexpected

times, and everyone around her would cheerfully reply, “Yes!!!” It was a simple moment

of togetherness that always brought smiles.

“Oh Gawd!” Even though Marie moved away from New York in her 20’s, she never lost

her accent. This exclamation occurred often, and was always said with a smile and a

laugh.

Marie was married to Albert Hinzpeter and had five children. She loved her role as a

mother and once said it was her most desired role in life. She was immensely proud of

her family.

Being near Marie was an invitation to be your pure and true self. You could be scared,

and she would comfort you. Bring Marie an age-inappropriate curiosity and she would

do her best to explain it to you. Any car ride was a “lark” and Marie led the daydreaming

about the cargo of cars that drove by.

Marie’s passing brings grief and sadness, but she leaves an indelible mark as the

matriarch of her family. She is survived with a tremendous amount of goodwill,

compassion, and a warm strength that will always hold her family together.

Marie is survived by her daughters Joan Hinzpeter, Judy (John) Wraalstad, and June

(Dale) Czarnecki, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great

grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband Albert Hinzpeter, her

daughter Joyce (George) Kane, and her son William (Delores) Hinzpeter, and her

siblings Walter, Charles, William, Robert, and Muriel.

Funeral services will be held on August 29 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lake

Geneva. Visitation: 10:00am – 11:30am, service at 11:30am, with a luncheon to follow.