Margaret Ann Goeden-Chapman

Margaret Ann Goeden-Chapman (nee Ciriacks), 87, of West Bend passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2023.

She was born on Sept. 17, 1936, to Leroy and Mildred (Spartz) Ciriacks in the Town of Saukville.

She proudly spoke of starting first grade at age 4 at the Saint Finbar’s country schoolhouse near to the family farm. She later attended Holy Trinity Catholic School in Newburg and West Bend High School. Upon graduation, she went to Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, completing a teaching degree in 1954.

Margie married her first love, Richard Arthur “Dick” Goeden, in April 1954. They had four beautiful children: Richard (Linda) Goeden of Saukville, Maureen Anderson of Madison, Mary Beth (John) Bales of West Bend and Margaret Goeden (Kevin Whan) of Hong Kong.  

Margie and Dick were active in Holy Angels Parish, the VFW and the Jaycees. They enjoyed spending time with their extended families and were locally popular for growing and selling pumpkins from their riverside property on Highway 33 East in West Bend.

Margie worked as an instructor in sewing and the arts at WB Technical School.

Dick contracted ALS and passed away in November 1967, leaving their children in the capable and loving hands of Margie. She was indomitable, returning to university to attain a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee while working and raising her children. 

For more than 20 years, Margie worked for West Bend East High School, initially as a well-loved classroom teacher and later as a guidance counselor.

In 1978, Margie married Francis “Fritz” Becker of Stonebank, Wis. They moved into the City of West Bend upon marriage and greatly enjoyed home improvement projects and traveling around the United States and Canada together.

Margie was again widowed when Fritz passed away in 1988. 

Love shined upon Margie a third time when she met her final life partner, Ralph Chapman of Saukville, at a Catholic singles event. They married in 1990 and enjoyed 33 years of marriage.

Ralph died very recently, on Dec. 1 of this year.

In their years together, Margie relished gathering with her now-larger family. Ralph’s children are Anne (Al) Krick of Belgium, Katherine (Mark) Schrubbe of Wauwatosa, David (Jean) Chapman of Berlin and Julie (Matt) Miller of Oshkosh. 

Margie was extremely proud of her nine grandchildren: Megan Goeden (Brian Schulte), Nic Goeden, Paul Goeden, Cathleen Goeden, Greta (Jason) Munns, Emma Anderson, Elizabeth (Christopher) Holdren, Abby (Adam) Cummings and Nigel Whan. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Phoenix, Iris and Wren Munns, Walter and Robert Cummings and Maggie and Alex Holdren. She will look down from heaven at the imminent arrival of baby girl Schulte, due early January 2024. As Margie bravely faced the decline of the last few weeks, her only stated regret was not getting to spend more time with these little people. 

The grandchildren on the Chapman side of the family were also well-loved. They are Andy (Toni) Krick, Emily Belter, Rachel (James) Clemons and Adam (Erin) Schrubbe. There are five adored great-grandchildren on the Chapman side: Ben and Tyler Krick, Carson and Blake Belter and Tali Clemons.

Margie and Ralph made the most of their retirement years, spending time at their cottage in Oconto County and traveling. They loved visiting cousins in Alaska and Louisiana. They were volunteers at Cedar Community and with the Lion’s Club. 

For years, Margie was a regular at the YMCA and remained an active member of numerous card groups until just a few weeks ago. She looked forward annually to her job as a judge at county fairs, in both Washington and Ozaukee counties, and at the State Fair in Milwaukee.

Margie took great pleasure in creating beauty around her, her garden and her home.

With their declining health, Margie and Ralph were aided with great care by Cindy Lor and Steve and Katie Rush.

Her grandchildren and others will have quilts that she crafted to remember her by. She was a generous and gracious hostess as well as an inspiring professional woman who mentored the many young people she met through teaching and counseling. She was a true and trustworthy friend, a “sister” through the years to her fellow Mount Mary classmate Eileen Anderson of Brookfield and a neighbor who created community at every turn. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend. A prayer vigil will follow at 6 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Angels Catholic Church on Friday, Dec. 22, as follows:

Visitation at church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Mass from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m

Burial will be at Holy Angels Cemetery following the Mass. 

Those who attend the burial may join the others at the hall for additional celebration of Margie’s life.

Memorials to West Bend Columns Scholarship Fund or Mount Mary University Scholarship Fund are appreciated.

Schmidt Funeral Home of West Bend is serving the family.

Messages for the family may be left in an online guest book at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.