Marietta M. Paap

Our dear friend, stepmother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Marietta Mae Paap (nee Meyer), went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the age of 88 years and 7 months. Through her baptism as an infant, the Savior called her and gave her a second birth to life eternal as a member of God's family. And through the saving work of Jesus Christ, she became his child by faith alone, by grace alone, to the glory of God alone.

Marietta Mae Meyer was born on April 4, 1937, in Bay City, MI. She attended high school at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, and at a young age her ambition was to be a teacher in a Lutheran school. After graduation she went on to Dr. Martin Luther College, in New Ulm, MN, where she received teacher training and made lifelong Christian friends who shared in the professional joy of leading children to their Savior. In 1958 she was given a divine call as a primary teacher at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Weyauwega, WI. Here also she made friends that would last a lifetime. In 1962 she accepted a call to her college alma mater, DMLC, to be a student teacher supervisor. In 1967 she was called to teach at the newly established Manitowoc Lutheran High School, WI, where she taught classes and coached girls sports.

Then in early spring 1974, Marietta was surprised by what she called "my Miracle Engagement." It brought wedding plans and a move back to Weyauwega where she has resided until now. On July 5, 1974, Gilbert Paap and Marietta Meyer were married. It brought into her life 2 stepdaughters and spouses, 6 grandchildren and spouses, and 22 great grandchildren. In her own words, "God's plans for me are better than my own. Learning how to be a grandma without giving birth to children." And what a wonderful one she was! But that was not all. In 1975 Marietta was called to return to the St. Peter's classroom where she taught kindergarten until her retirement in 2003. 

Throughout her entire life, anyone who knew Marietta saw that she was blessed with many gifts and interests.  In addition to the many talents she used in teaching, she loved music and art and wrote verse for beautiful hymns and spiritual songs, as well as creating lovely drawings. She enjoyed photography and provided family photographs of our occasions and designed many displays of the church's history and special events.  Marietta often served and exercised leadership in the activities at St. Peter's.  She participated in mission outreach with the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society, the Weyauwega Area Historical Society, and teaching in-home English as a Second Language to residents of the Hispanic community in Weyauwega. She also enjoyed biking, tennis, traveling with Gilbert, and enjoying her grandkids at all ages.

Preceding Marietta in death were her parents, Edward and Katherine Meyer, and her dear husband, Gilbert Paap in 2012. She is survived by her brother, Ron Meyer and his wife, Joyce, along with their two sons, Gary and Terry.

We, her immediate family, who remain behind are her stepdaughters: Carol (Daniel) Koelpin and Kathleen (Michael) George; her grandchildren: Dawn (Joel) Schulz, Alisa (Bradley) Aleckson, Nathan Koelpin, Kristin (Michael) Kampman, Jessica (Marcus) Spiegelberg, and Joseph (Jennifer) Koelpin; her great grandchildren: Jonah (Tatum), Elijah, and Moira Schulz; Emily, Ben, Julia, and Lilly Aleckson; Kaitlyn, Caleb, Isabelle, and Marcus Kampman; Sydney, Maya, Bentley, and Titus Spiegelberg; and Christian, Teagan (Julyana), Isaiah, Gideon, Shiloh, Phoebe and Eden Koelpin.

Marietta Paap was truly a child of God and an heir of his heavenly kingdom. She was devoted to loving and serving her Savior and bringing others to know him.  This was evident throughout her entire life. And it was a meaningful and beautiful example to all who knew her at the time of her passing.  She sang songs and hymns of his glory until the end.

We will celebrate her memory with a Christian Funeral service at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Weyauwega, on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM with Rev. Joseph Koelpin officiating. Burial will be in Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, West Bloomfield. A visitation for Marietta will be held at the church on Monday from 1:00 PM until 2:45 PM.

Memorials preferred to:

• St. Peter Lutheran Church
• 312 W. Main St.
• Weyauwega, WI 54983

• WELS Lutheran Synod Mission Fund
• N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive
• Waukesha, WI 53188