Marie Karen Skowen (Olson), age 75, of Iola, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, October 11, 2026, surrounded by the people she loved most.

Marie leaves behind an army of family-some connected by blood and some simply connected by love. To Marie, it never mattered which. She loved them all the same, and she had a way of making everyone feel like they belonged.

Marie was born on June 14, 1951, Flag Day, to Alf and Karen (Louison) Olson in Iola, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of three children. First child to be born at the Iola Hospital. She graduated from Iola-Scandinavia High School in 1969, and went on to attend beauty school in Appleton.

Marie and Wayne graduated high school together but didn't begin dating until Memorial Day Weekend of Wayne's sophomore year at UW-LaCrosse. A year after dating, Wayne proposed to Marie on Memorial Day Weekend. They were married a year later on May 27, 1972,

Wayne and Marie moved to Chicago, where they began their family and welcomed their first daughter, Joy. Before long, they realized just how much family and their hometown of Iola meant to them, and they made the decision to return home. They built the house where they would spend the rest of their lives, and their second daughter, Kori, was born.

Marie made her career working for the Iola-Scandinavia School District, where she held several different roles throughout her career, including Special Education Aide, Kindergarten Aide, and, ultimately, High School Secretary. During her time at the School she coached Volleyball and led the 2000 team to State.

Marie loved many things-gardening, crafting and sewing-but nothing compared to the joy she found in watching her grandchildren participate in whatever activity they were involved in. If there was a game, tournament, concert, event or activity, chances were good that Grandma Marie would be there cheering them on. She was a through-and-through T-Bird enthusiast. Her love for Iola-Scandinavia ran deep, and she proudly carried that love with her everywhere she went. After all, how many people can say they have their school mascot permanently tattooed on them?

Marie retired from the school district in 2013. Retirement gave her more time to do what she loved-creating. She became especially known for her cement leaves, pots and pallet crates. Christmas was another favorite time of year for Marie. Every year, she made handmade gifts for all the girls in the family-scarves, wooden nameplates, necklaces and whatever other creative idea she had dreamed up that year. And while the girls received her beautiful crafts, the men of the family had one thing to look forward to: fry cakes.

In 2015, Marie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. From that moment on, teal became the family's favorite color. For 11 years, Marie fought. She endured chemotherapy, radiation, tests, scans, fluids and countless difficult days, but she never allowed those things to define her. She fought with her whole soul, knowing she had an army of people standing behind her every step of the way.

Marie was strong, stubborn, loving, funny, creative and fiercely devoted to her family. She gave so much of herself to the people around her, and her absence will leave a hole that cannot be filled.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Wayne; her two daughters, Joy Kurki (Darin) and Kori Printz (Dave); five grandchildren, Carter, Connor, Ava, Jenna and Emma; her brother, Jim Olson (Lois); sister, Clare Oppor (Leonard); brother-in-law, David Skowen (Jane); sister-in-law, Sheri Zdroik (Mike); and 12 nieces and nephews, Jackie, Jeff, Sniff, Vance, Amie, Chris, Destiny, Jason, Wendy, Marci, Anna and Dillon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alf and Karen Olson; her mother- and father-in-law, Elmore and Donna Skowen; brother-in-law, Keith Skowen; and nephew, Cody Zdroik.

A Memorial Service will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Iola at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, October 17th. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola on Friday, October 16th from 4:30 to 7:30 PM and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 AM.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to all of the kind, hardworking and dedicated staff of Compassus, oncology department of Marshfield Clinic, as well as family friend Laura, for the support, compassion and care they provided to Marie and her family throughout the years. Your kindness meant more than you will ever know.

Marie may no longer be here beside us, but the things she created, the people she loved, the memories she made and the countless lives she touched will keep her with us.

Her army was always behind her. Now, her army will carry her memory forward.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to: Marshfield Clinic Center for Cancer; Iola Scandinavia Athletics and/or Iola Scandinavia School Fight Cancer Night.