Marjorie Pauline Gollnick

Marjorie Pauline Carlton Gollnick, 98, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, left this earthly life on July 23, 2024 to be with our heavenly Father.

She was born on July 10, 1926, in Epworth, Iowa, to the late Frank and Vera (nee Miner) Carlton. Growing up in Epworth, Marjorie began to play the organ at the local church during her teen years. She would meet her husband Walter Gollnick this way, as he was an organ repairman. Marjorie found Walter’s information in the yellow pages when the church organ broke, and the two hit it off. They were happily married until Walter’s death in 1964. After beginning their family, Marjorie, Walter, and their sons would travel on organ repair expeditions. Marjorie continued playing the organ at church and for other services throughout her life.

She is survived by two sons, Robin and Ralph (Laura) Gollnick; grandchildren Allen (Audrey) Gollnick, Kassandra Gollnick, and Sean (Cheryl) Armstrong; greatgrandchildren Courtney Armstrong, Austin Armstrong, Preston Armstrong, and Kaylee Armstrong; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Preceded in death by her husband, Walter Gollnick in 1964, son Fred Gollnick in 2003, son Richard Gollnick in 2019, and her parents Frank and Vera (nee Miner) Carlton.

A visitation will be held from 12 – 2 p.m. on Friday, August 9th, at Lake Geneva Methodist Church (912 Geneva St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147); with a funeral service beginning at 2 p.m., officiated by Pastor Harsha Kotain.

In lieu of flowers, donations to United Methodist Church are requested ( https://lakegenevaumchurch.org/e-givings ).

Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes of Lake Geneva is proudly serving the family.

From Marge Gollnick

On the eighth day, God created music. Psalm 150:4 “Praise him with stringed instruments and organs.”

“At a very early age I was blessed with a curiosity and interest in musical sounds. At eleven years old I was playing piano for the Sunday School and at age 20 I was a church organist. Through the years I’ve been a church organist in several churches. Twenty-six years ago, I had the honor of coming to the Methodist Church (of Lake Geneva). It was like coming home, as I was baptized Methodist in Iowa. I’ve substituted for ogranists at other churches. I’ve accompanied choirs, soloists, instrumentalists, school students, piano-organ duets, and more. I provided music for weddings and funerals in different churches throughout the years. My greatest joy was playing hymns for the congregations, especially the ‘hymn sings’ as that is when all the favorites were selected. Being able to play at church is truly a gift from God, which I do cherish. Old organists never die- they just pedal away.