Marie Fatzinger

Marie M. Fatzinger, (91), passed away peacefully Monday, January 29th. Marie was born July 24, 1932 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania to Alexander Sneddon and Hazel (Adams) Sneddon. 

Marie grew up in Seek, Pennsylvania and graduated from Coaldale high school. She was very proud to be the daughter of a hardworking coal miner during the great depression. She attended Kutztown University, in Pennsylvania, where she earned her teaching degree in just three years. Marie had a passion for children and teaching. She taught in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, Madison, Cobb, Rewey, Livingston, and Platteville, Wisconsin. She earned her Master's degree from UW-Platteville.

Marie touched the lives of many students over the years. She enjoyed teaching about the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder, having students read by oil lamp, dip candles, eat popcorn and milk, and make molasses candy. She created a beach in her classroom where she hid the many seashells she gathered so students could hunt for shells, create a collection, and research each shell. She loved dressing up as The Cat in the Hat and traveling to various school districts to read Dr. Seuss stories to children. After Marie retired, she returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher, doing so until the age of 83. Marie was active in the Wisconsin Education Association Council.

Marie loved to sing. She led the choir at First English Lutheran Church for many years. She was honored to sing the National Anthem at one of the Chicago Bear scrimmages at UW-Platteville. She also enjoyed traveling. She visited all of the United States except Alaska, and had many adventures internationally.

Marie is survived by her two sons, Curt (Robin) Fatzinger and Eric (Colleen) Fatzinger; grandchildren, Katie (Jake) Kauffman, Kelsey (Christopher) Fatzinger-Schnurr, and Kyle (Keri) Fatzinger; great-grandchildren Preston and Grace Fatzinger-Schnurr and Cameron and Carter Fatzinger; brother, James (Joyce) Sneddon; sister, Alexis Pozesky; nieces and nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Per Marie's personal wishes, there will be no formal services. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, June 30th from 12:00 - 3:00pm at Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Platteville Library Foundation. These can be made online at https://cfsw.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1714 or mailed to: PO Box 358, Platteville, WI 53818.