Marilyn Pauline Blase, age 87, of Appleton, died Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at home. She was born January 12, 1931, in Arenzville, IL to the late Edna Anna Marie Hackman and Earl Richard Hackman. Marilyn was a graduate of University of Illinois with a BA in English. She celebrated 53 years with her husband Carl J. Blase marrying him on June 28, 1953, in Arenzville, IL. Marilyn worked as an English teacher in Ohio. Subsequently, she put her time and energy into raising her family and volunteering to teach nursery school in California, and Sunday school in Virginia and Wisconsin. Both Carl and Marilyn enjoyed boating in all the states that they lived in. Beginning in Ohio they owned a motorboat on Lake Erie, followed by: a sailboat in California on the Pacific Ocean, a houseboat in Illinois on the Kankakee River, a luxury yacht in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay, a Boston Whaler in Florida on the Intercoastal waterway, and a pontoon boat in Wisconsin on the Wolf River. After Carl retired, they took numerous cruises together with the highlight being a 50th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise with friends and family. Marilyn was an avid crafter and stitched, knitted, quilted, and sewed many gifts for family and friends. She lived her Christian life in service to others: singing in choir, teaching Bible classes, quilting for the needy, and volunteering at Mercy Medical Center. She loved playing bridge, bowling, having tea parties, and baking cookies and scones for everyone! Marilyn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Winneconne for many years and currently a member of Lord of Lakes Lutheran Church in Winneconne. She lived her life always moving forward with a positive attitude. Everyone who knew her loved her sweet nature. She always had a way of making everyone she met feel special. Marilyn is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law: Sharon Blase Doyle and Tom Doyle, of Winneconne; Gail Henjum, of Westmont, IL; three grandchildren, Megan (Robert) Reif, Patricia Doyle, Ted (Rebecca) Doyle; two great-grandsons Eli Reif and TJ Doyle. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl; sister, Anne Marie Farrar; and brother, Edward William Hackman. A visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church 6090 Harbour South (corner of Hwy 116 and Harbour South) Winneconne. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 22 at 1:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Kevin Heffernan officiating. We would like to thank the Touchmark staff, Heartland Hospice, and Dr. Gremminger for all the tender care and support they gave mom as she lived with cancer. If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.