Marita T. Magnuson

Marita T. Magnuson Our beloved friend, Marita, passed away from cancer peacefully at home in Fontana, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Marita was born in 1952 to Gloria (Leiser) Magnuson and Floyd Magnuson in Chicago. Marita was a talented artist and a well-loved teacher; she took joy in stimulating her students to appreciate the value of art and literature in their lives. Marita was also a spiritual person always thinking deeply about life and buoyed by her strong faith. She also had a great love of animals and nature - birds, flowers (especially lilacs), dogs, cats, and elephants! She called her lovely home "Shadow Garden." It is a peaceful oasis of greenery, calm and gentle as Marita was. Marita was a friend to many and was loved by her fellow teachers and students. She was an only child but was happy to get to know her sisters Christian and Margaret and brother Max from her father's second marriage to Jessica. Marita grew up in Chicago until her parents divorced, and her mother took a teaching position on a US military base in Cambridge, England. Living in England, she went to Cambridge High School for Girls and then Keele University in Staffordshire, England studying English and American Studies. She kept her charming English accent her whole life. In her late 20's, Marita returned to Chicago and, recognizing a deep need to study art, she graduated from the prestigious School of the Art Institute in Chicago with an MFA. Marita straddled two cultures, enjoying what both had to offer her, but chose to remain in the USA for her remaining days. She taught college-level art courses for several years and then taught Literature and Art at Traver School in Lake Geneva for over 20 years. Marita led outings for her students to visit the Milwaukee Art Museum and encouraged her students to display their artwork and judged shows. After retirement, she found joy in her artwork, her "Shadow Garden," and her pets, beloved Marco, the (noisy) dog, and lovely Sylvia the (regal) cat. Marita was a cherished member of the extended Nolan family. Mimi and Jim Nolan became friends with the Magnuson couple when Marita was a toddler. Through the years, Marita spent most holidays and many vacations with the Nolan family. She was truly a sister to the Nolan siblings and the in-laws and an aunt to the many nieces and nephews. Marita was close to her good friends in England, Glynis and the Webster clan and Peter Harflett. She recently enjoyed a reunion visit from her good friends from Keele University. Marita appreciated the love and support of her neighbors, Laura and Derrick, and their two lovely daughters, and friends Gabby Jensen and Sally Tower and many teacher friends. She appreciated her beloved gardener /friend Martin Gomez who kept Shadow Garden beautiful. Glynis and Kitty Nolan Martin were the support by her bedside the last days of her life. The Funeral Mass for Marita will be on Friday, September 15th at 11:00 at St. Benedict Church Fontana (visitation in the church at 10am). The church is at 137 Dewey Avenue, Fontana, WI 53125. Burial will be at a later date in Monroe WI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fellow Mortals Wildlife Hospital W4632 Palmer Rd. Lake Geneva WI 53147 262-248-5055 https://fellowmortals.org Or, The World Wildlife Fund (for elephants) https://support.worldwildlife.org/ Lazarczyk Simple Choice Options of Lake Geneva assisted the family. Service Details. Visitation When Friday, September 15th, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am Location St. Benedict Catholic Church Address 137 Dewey Avenue Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI 53125 Service When Friday, September 15th, 2023 11:00am Location St. Benedict Catholic Church Address 137 Dewey Avenue Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI 53125