Mary Claire (Brick) Matzke of Green Bay, passed away at home on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the age of 64. She was born May 19, 1952 in Greenleaf to John H. and Mary Lou (Leonhard) Brick.
Mary graduated from Wrightstown High School in the class of 1970, obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Mary was the beloved wife of Marvin Matzke. They were united in marriage on August 3, 1974 and were nearly inseparable for 42 years.
To say that she loved teaching would be an understatement—she often expressed that she would do it for free. Mary was deeply dedicated to her students, their families and the staff at West De Pere High School, where she spent her entire 37-year career. She was proud to earn Teacher of the Year from the district in 1995.
She was also an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling. She spent summers on the golf course with family and friends.
Mary approached every situation with humility, grace and a positive spirit. She was eternally grateful for her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Marvin J. Matzke of Green Bay; two daughters, Jill (Ryan) Shiroma of Madison and Kelly (Anthony) Ichella of Allouez; two grand-children, Makenna and Christian Ichella; two step-grandchildren, Aaron and Tyler Ichella; two sisters, Jeanne (David) Trumpy of Farmington Hills, MI and Laurie (Richard) Lambert of Seymour; three brothers, Thomas (Kathy) Brick of McPherson, KS, Kevin (Sally) Brick of Green Bay and Steven Brick of Green Bay; brothers and sisters-in-law Camille Brick, Patricia Brick, Roger (Carol) Matzke, Michael Matzke, Joyce (Jerome) Blink, Thomas Grall, Robert Staab, and Suzanne Matzke; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers John, David, and Denis Brick; mother and father-in-law Carl and Cecelia Matzke; brothers and sisters-in-law Kenneth Matzke, Sally Staab, Doris Grall and Raymond Matzke.
Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, on Tuesday, April 18 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, at St. Bernard Parish, 2040 Hillside Ln., Green Bay, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Mark VanderSteeg officiating. Burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, De Pere. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.
The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff at Unity Hospice, especially Melanie, Melissa, and Barb for all their care and support.