Marilyn J (Forst) Piechowski age 83 of Redgranite passed away Sunday, October 4th, 2026 at Aurora Medical Center of Oshkosh with her husband, John, by her side. She was born March 27, 1943 to Leonard & Leona (Becwar) Forst in Prairie du Chien, WI.
Marilyn was active working on the family farm as a child and learning to drive tractors on the hillsides. She worked at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital and played Accordion with her sisters at numerous events while attending high school. Marilyn graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1961 and was a co-valedictorian with her cousin. She went on to work for the Crawford County Extension Office until her marriage. She met her husband through 4-H, Rural Youth USA, and Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee. John and Marilyn were married in 1965 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Chien. They celebrated 61 years of marriage together.
Marilyn was a Homemaker who enjoyed sewing, photography, cooking, baking bread, and her flowers. She also enjoyed many long phone calls and often the last person out the door making sure she got to talk to everyone. She shared these joys with her children and grandchildren along with teaching sewing and tailoring with perfection to many 4-Hers along the way. Marilyn was involved with many organizations throughout her life. She was the State Women’s Committee Chair of Wisconsin Farm Bureau, General Leader of the Warren Future Citizens 4-H Club for many years, a Master Food Preserver through Waushara County Extension, served as a Poll worker and Chief Election Judge for Town of Warren, was a member of St. Mark’s CCW and Waushara Christian Women’s Club, member of the Rosebud Homemakers club (now HCE), sewed all of the Aprons for the 1990 Wisconsin Farm Progress Days in Waushara County, helped out at events with the Wisconsin Towns Association, and was involved with the family business of Henry’s Honey Farm. Quietly, Marilyn’s participation in two clinical trials successfully helped researchers develop a cure that continues to save lives worldwide.
She is survived by her husband John; children Jerome of Berlin, Daniel (Gina) of Redgranite, Ronald (Susie) of Wautoma, and Monica (John) Augustine of Stillwater, MN; grandchildren Haille Piechowski, Jalyn (Noah) Lippert, Larissa Piechowski, Cameron Piechowski, Katelyn Piechowski, Amanda Augustine, and Leopold Augustine; great-grandchild Liam Puls; brother-in-law Ron Goodman; sister-in-law Kay Forst; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Gerald, Francis, Roger, and Dennis Forst; sisters Norita Hollar and Dianne Goodman; brother-in-law John Hollar, and sisters-in-law Teresa Forst and Edna Forst.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church 228 Church Street, Fr. Jaya Prakash (JP) Nemali officiating with interment in the St. Mark’s Cemetery, both in Redgranite. Family and Friends may call at St. Mark’s Church Hall on Friday, October 16th from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and also at 10:00 A.M. at the church one-hour prior to the Saturday funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marilyn’s name will be used per her wishes.
The family would like to thank Aurora Comfort Care for the excellent care given to Marilyn during her final days and Dr. Lucey for years of dedicated work to her longevity. Special thank you to her daughter-in-law Susie for her health care support to Marilyn, to Father JP for many visits during her stay and to Ruminski Funeral Home.
