Marilyn R. Speerstra
Marilyn Ruth Speerstra (Hauge) passed away Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Grand View Care Center in Blair, where she had been a resident for five and a half years.
Marilyn was born November 21, 1931, to Walter and Gertrude (Lowe) Hauge in Whitehall. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and attended kindergarten through her junior year in Whitehall. She then graduated from Hixton High School in 1949, while living with her grandparents.
Marilyn’s parents operated various cafes and restaurants locally, including the Walgert Hotel in Whitehall. There she waitressed and learned from her father, Walter, to be a very talented and resourceful cook. She won the heart of the man who would become her husband by sneaking him into the kitchen of the Walgert and serving him ice cream after Luther League. He was later quoted as saying, “She made me twice the man I am.”, which he intended quite literally.
On August 26, 1950, Marilyn became Mrs. Peter John Speerstra Jr., at Our Saviour’s. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Peter’s family dairy farm south of Whitehall. Marilyn was a loving, inspirational, self-less, and seemingly tireless mother of five active children. She encouraged their growth and spiritual development as they participated in church, 4-H, scouting and numerous school activities, all while keeping them accountable to their schoolwork and chores. Her children knew she “had their backs” and hoped never to disappoint her.
Marilyn’s contribution to the farming operation centered on gardening and her culinary skills. The family’s “field-to-table” meals included foods she grew, canned, preserved and pickled along with homemade breads, fresh dairy and farm-raised meats. While raising their young family, Marilyn still managed to sing in the church choir and perform solos on many occasions. She had a beautiful soprano singing voice.
In 1960, Marilyn began working outside of the home at the Trempealeau County Clerk of Court’s Office. As she embarked on the workforce, she insisted that Pete teach her to drive, a skill uncommon among her peers at the time. She soon moved from part-time work to full-time employment at the Farmers’ Home Administration (FmHA), where she held every job title within the county office, retiring as the manager in 1995. In order to attain this role, she went back to school and earned college credits under the tutelage of her sons in the dairy barn, for which they were compensated with coffee and cookies. Her work involved helping local farmers navigate the 1980s farm crisis. This required difficult conversations, which she approached with an elegant combination of pragmatism and empathy. Upon retirement from federal service, she continued to share her agricultural lending experience with various banks in the area.
Marylin and Pete enjoyed a thriving social life, including many lifelong friends with whom they played cards, shared meals and even participated in some old-fashioned julebukking. They had a standing New Year’s Eve date with Harland and Phyllis Schaefer and Doris and Vernon Estenson. Another group of friends who were very close to her heart were fellow Wisconsin Guernsey Breeders, who would meet for annual conventions where a jar of her cookies would feature prominently in their fundraising auctions.
Marilyn and Pete left the farm to reside in Whitehall in 1985. Shortly thereafter, they became grandparents. Marilyn was an incredible grandmother. She loved her grandchildren wholeheartedly and unconditionally. She made it a personal mission to catalog their favorite meals, and would be sure to serve them to celebrate even minor occasions like a good test score or school performance. Her home was an inviting, comfortable place, where many hours were spent exchanging stories and jokes, and where they were always welcome. She loved spending time with them, even treating each grandchild to a trip to Boston.
Together, Marilyn and Pete traveled to Washington state and New England. However, Marilyn was so well known for her excellent cooking and hospitality, that her home was the gathering place for out-of-town family throughout the country. She was the glue that held many far flung relatives together.
After the passing of her husband in 2007, she nurtured friendships with a group of local ladies who enjoyed Friday Night Fish Fries, Manhattans, and Bloody Mary’s - but not too many, as Marilyn was the driver. This sassy but classy crew was committed to ensuring all local establishments adhered to proper ingredient and ratio standards – a little stronger, and don’t skip the vermouth. Marilyn also spent more time with her brothers and sisters-in-law, wintering with them in Florida and South Carolina and traveling with brother, Jim, to London and Norway in 2016.
In her final years, nothing brought her more joy than her great-grandchildren. Their laughter, hugs and visits – complete with ‘Great Grams’ being pushed at top speed through the halls of Grand View Care Center – lit up her days and reminded her of life’s sweetest blessings. A hostess until the end, she would always make sure to have snacks and treats stocked in her room waiting to entertain visitors.
Marilyn was a strong, sturdy, independent woman, who wasn’t afraid to tell her people what she was thinking, and love them with her whole heart. Her focus was always on serving others before herself, and she took great joy in doing so.
Marilyn is survived by her five children: Peter Speerstra III (Sherri), Robert Speerstra (Kay), Beth Cronin (James), John “Jack” Speerstra (Mary) and Jean Speerstra; seven grandchildren: Matthew Speerstra, Larissa Larstra (Justin), Craig Speerstra (fianceé Emma Buss), Ryan Cronin, Mandy Tjoflat (Paul), Samuel Speerstra (Andrea Mattison) and Mary Pat Sass (Josh); seven great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Louise Hauge; a brother-in-law, John Speerstra; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Peter; her parents; and three brothers: David, John and James Hauge.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, with burial at Lincoln Cemetery, both in Whitehall. Pastor Thomas W. Smith will officiate.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to the Grand View Care Center Activities Fund, the Rita Tranberg Memorial Foundation, St. Croix Hospice or the charity of your choosing.
