Marian Louise Wullschleger, 98, of Fort Myers, Florida, passed away at Discovery Village on November 18, 2024. Marian had moved there from Nebraska in 2017 to be close to her sons who have also retired there.

Marian was born on April 26, 1926 in Hartford, Kansas, to Myron and Esther (Carnine) Steckel and later moved to Emporia, Kansas, where she attended both grade school and high school. Her father was a barber and Marian often sold popcorn with her sister in front of his shop to movie-goers. Marian graduated from College of Emporia with a business degree in May 1948 and was married a few days later to Arnold Wullschleger on June 6.

A year later, in 1949, their first son, Jim, was born before they left Kansas for Law School at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Marian cared for their family while Arnold studied law and was soon expecting their second child, Marc, who was born in November 1950. Arnold graduated from law school in 1951 and the growing family moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where Arnold worked for Phillips Petroleum while he studied for the Bar.

After passing the Bar, Arnold found a position with a law firm in Beatrice, Nebraska, where Marian added their third son, Kurt, to the family in 1953. Marian quickly became active in civic and community organizations which she continued for many years in Beatrice including Home Culture Extension Club, Church Circle, Bridge Club, Sewing Club, PTA, Red Cross, March of Dimes and held various offices in Children's Guild for many years. She was also den mother for all three of her boy's Cub Scout packs and organized many school activities as room mother.

Marian was always working with her hands with knitting, needle-point, sewing and braiding rugs as well as patching and repairing clothing for the family. She loved camping with her family and visited all of the lower forty-eight states with Arnold in their RV. Marian was always ready to load the RV and head out for weeks on the road visiting parks, historic sites and scenic areas of the United States. It was also a big treat to visit grand kids and attend their school events and graduations. After Arnold died in 2008, Marian moved to Lincoln.

Marian is survived by a sister, Patricia MacBlane (Edward) of Denver, Colorado. Her sons, Jim (Cyndi) of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Marc (Susie) of Fort Myers and Kurt (Jane) Fort Myers. She has six grandchildren; Laura Light (Karl) Roswell, New Mexico, Matt (Denisse), Pahoa, Hawaii, Erik (Stacey) Kansas City, Missouri, Ryan (Samantha) Valley, Nebraska, Kyle, Eagle Creek, Oregon and Micah (Jenn) of Tijuana, Mexico. Marian also has six great grandchildren; Mackenna, Kristoff, Landry, Jack, Emma and Mila.

The family will hold a memorial service for Marian at the Marysville Cemetery in Marysville, Kansas, on April 26, 2025.