Margaret C. Menzia Obituary

Margaret Menzia (Kulas) passed away peacefully on February 22, 2023, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was 78.

A city girl at heart, Margaret Catherine Kulas was born in Milwaukee, WI, on December 19th, 1944, to Wally and Dorothy Kulas. She had a joyful and loving childhood growing up with her two siblings at 20th and Kilbourn Avenue. She especially loved Double Dutch, roller skating, and playing "kick the can" with the neighborhood kids. The children's summers were spent exploring in the woods and playing with the animals at their family farm, nestled in the bluffs of Trempealeau County.

She attended Gesu School, Holy Assumption School, and Holy Angels Academy, washing dishes for the nuns in the summer to help pay her tuition. At Holy Angels, Margaret excelled in typing, bookkeeping, and shorthand classes and forged lifelong friendships.

Upon graduating, Margaret's typewriting skills helped her land a job at Wisconsin Telephone Company at age 17. Shortly after, Aloyce Menzia jitterbugged his way into Margaret's heart and stayed there for the past 62 years. At first she found this boy from South Dakota "too cowboyish," but eventually fell madly in love after getting to know the real "Al.". The couple married and began creating a life with their three children in West Allis before building a house and planting roots in Mukwonago. Their home of almost 50 years is one of comfort and warmth, where visitors are always met with a tight hug and good food.

Outside of the home, Margaret excelled in her career in banking. She served as a teller, branch manager, and executive officer of Mitchell Savings Bank, then Pyramax Bank, at the Franklin and Mukwonago branches. She loved working with "the ladies at the bank," and she made connections with countless community members until she retired in 2006.

Margaret, or "Marge" to many of her loved ones, found beauty in the little things, and she delighted in showing her love in tangible ways: a perfectly-chosen gift wrapped immaculately, back scratches after a stressful day, and delicious baked goods. Her zucchini bread, caramel rolls, and peanut butter cookies are unmatched. She relished the simple joys of a good book, a brisk dance, catching a movie with friends, a thoughtful handwritten note, and traveling to new places. Marge was an amazing hostess, her guests always feeling loved upon crossing the threshold of her home. She enjoyed deep discussions, corny jokes, and cheering for Wisconsin's sports teams.

Margaret was most happy surrounded by loved ones, and she and Al lovingly fostered a tight-knit family culture. Al and Marge were truly a team, faithfully supporting each other through life's valleys, mountaintops, and plateaus. She was incredibly proud of all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and always went out of her way to make each of them feel seen and important. She is adored by her loved ones and will be deeply missed.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Al Menzia, her brother: Ralph (Pat) Kulas of Ridgecrest, CA, her children: Michelle (Bruce) Lammers of Monona, Tim (Genie) Menzia of Prospect Heights, IL, and Rich (Yoshiko) Menzia of Elk Grove Village, IL; her grandchildren: Alyssa (Brady) Shaffer of Sun Prairie, Andy (Brooke) Lammers of Stoughton, Austin Menzia of Chicago, IL, Olivia (Grant) Menzia of Chicago, IL, and Mya and Lena Menzia of Elk Grove Village, IL; her great-grandchildren: Abe and Isaiah Shaffer of Sun Prairie; and countless close friends and family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wally and Dorothy Kulas, and her sister, Sister Therese Kulas, BVM.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at St. James Catholic Church (830 E. Veteran's Way, Mukwonago) from 10:00 AM until the time of the Funeral Mass at 12:00 NOON.

Margaret's family encourages you to honor her legacy by volunteering your time and resources at a local hospital and promoting simple acts of respect and kindness in your community.

Visitation Thursday, March 02, 2023 10:00 AM - Noon St. James Catholic Church 830 East Veterans Way Mukwonago, WI 53149 Phone: (262) 363-7615.

Memorial Service Thursday, March 02, 2023, Noon, St. James Catholic Church 830 East Veterans Way.