Marilyn Ruth Speerstra (Hauge) passed away Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Grand
View Care Center in Blair, Wisconsin, where she had been a resident for five and a half
years. She was born November 21 st , 1931, to Walter and Gertrude (Lowe) Hauge in
Whitehall, Wisconsin. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran
Church and attended kindergarten through her junior year in Whitehall. She 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, she 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, she 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 1980’s 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 is 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 on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. in Our
Saviour’s Lutheran Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery both in Whitehall. Pastor
Thomas W. Smith will officiate.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 4-6 p.m. in the 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.
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