Mary Margaret Wohlwend (nee Esten) died on May 22, 2013 in Hilton Head, South Carolina at 80 years of age.
Mary Margaret, named after her grandmothers, was the first of Philip and Margaret Esten”s four children. Later joined by Elizabeth, Phillip and Robert. She was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin on February 26, 1933.
In 1950 she was crowned Beaver Dam”s first Honored Queen for Job”s Daughters. She graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1951 and attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill 1951-1952. She returned to Beaver Dam in 1952 and worked at Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company until 1954.
In 1953 she married John “Fred” Miller. Fred and Mary Margaret had three children: Fred Jr., Michael and Mary Liz. During their marriage Mary Margaret ran the financial affairs of Miller Texaco and Miller Skelley Service Stations. They were married 25 years.
Mary Margaret was married to Dr. Edward “Bruce” Wohlwend from 1980 until his death in 1992. Bruce introduced her to Hilton Head, South Carolina, which became her second home. During this time she worked in the office at Old Hickory Country Club. After Bruce”s death, she worked as a real estate agent for Century 21 for many years.
For the past 15 years, Mary Margaret”s partner and companion has been James Butterbrodt. She met Jim in High School and he took her to the 1948 Junior Prom.
Mary Margaret played bridge with the same ladies (Betty Clark, Sue Link, Barb Marthaler, Susan Nienhuis, Ramona Ross and now deceased Irene Exner and Mary Jo Wendorf) “The Bridge Club” for over 50 years. If only those cards could talk!
She was a life long member of Old Hickory Country Club and was the Ladies Club Champion in 1966. At the age of 70, Mary Margaret had her first hole-in-one on “the water hole”, her favorite hole on the course.
Mary Margaret”s priority and passion were always her family and friends. Around them she embraced all the things she enjoyed: golf, bridge, travel and entertaining. She made every meal a special occasion and there was never a table set more beautifully. Her chocolate chip cookies are legendary!
For the past 25 years, she has spent many months a year in Hilton Head, SC and is a member of the Country Club of Hilton Head. Mary Margaret has travelled to Australia over 10 times in the last 13 years to visit her daughter Mary Liz and family, often staying for three months at a time.
Mary Margaret will be remembered for many things: a fabulous cook and entertainer, a keen sports spectator (especially golf and tennis) and her conversational skills with people of all ages, even strangers. But above all else, it will be remembering her sense of humor, fun and ability to have a good time wherever she went that will bring a smile to the faces of all that knew and loved her.
She is survived by her sons Fred (Laura) Miller and Michael (Pam) Miller and daughter Mary Liz (Scott) Dawes, grandchildren: Nick Dawes, Jake Miller, Hannah Dawes and Matthew Miller. Her siblings, Elizabeth Cross and Phillip Esten. Her nieces and nephews: Kim (John) Dix, Leslie Wojick, Phillip (Dani) Esten, Andy Esten, Chad (Veronica) Esten and Jordan Esten. She is further survived by extended family and friends across the US and Australia. She is preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Margaret Esten, her husbands Fred Miller and Bruce Wohlwend, her brother Robert Esten and her grandson Connor Dawes.
A Memorial Service will be held at Wayland Academy Wednesday, June 26 at 4pm. Memorials may be given in Mary Margaret”s name to the City of Beaver Dam”s Waterworks Park Project.
The Murray Funeral Home, 131 East Maple Avenue in Beaver Dam, is caring for the family. To leave condolences, for directions, or for other information, please visit our website at www.MurrayFH.com.
Service Details
Wednesday, June 26th, 2013, 4:00pm, Kimberly (Wayland) Chapel-Beaver Dam
