Marian Balch

Marian passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2025. She was born in West Allis, WI on February 20th, 1935, to Clifford and Alta (Diller) Carlson.

Growing up near the State Fair Park, Marian was an ambassador for several years. She loved this job and met many celebrities such as her crush, Pat Boone.

She attended Luthor College in Decorah, Iowa, before transferring to UW Madison, graduating in education. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. After graduation, she taught at Randall Elementary School and then at Midvale Elementary School in Madison. Later, she continued her education at UW, getting her master’s degree while working as a UW instructor supervising student teachers. She went on to be a reading specialist and then became director of instruction at Marshall. Marian then joined CESA 2 as the staff development director. Her greatest professional accomplishment and love was starting the John Muir Academy for the continuing education of teachers. She successfully ran the academy for years until her retirement.

Faith was extremely important to her. She was a devout Christian her entire life, and was a member of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale AZ.

Early in life she purchased land and built her dream summer home in Manitowish Waters, WI. She loved being there with her children during the summers and had many adventures there. It was her happy place that brought her peace and reflection.

Marian raised her daughters in the Nakoma neighborhood in Madison. She was active in the Nakoma Welfare League and served as president. She later moved to Verona and was delighted to be closer to her grandchildren.

She was also very active in the Republican party for many years. She was thrilled to meet Barry Goldwater and was a “Nixon girl”.

Traveling was a great enjoyment to her. She treasured her European river cruises and trip to Norway with her sister-in-law Jean, St. Martin and Alaska with her sister Ann, Ireland and Hawaii with Rory and Marilyn, Florida with Virginia and Marilyn, as well as many trips within the states.

She was a lifelong Packer and Badger fan, attending many games and yelling her catch phrase, “Smear ‘em!” She was thrilled to see Aaron Rogers, her crush, play in person.

While still living in Madison, she purchased a home in Scottsdale, Arizona and spent the last eight years living full time there - enjoying friends, time with her beloved Chihuahua Lily, family visits, “her” mountain in her backyard, and the beautiful sunsets.

Along with her faith, family was most important to her. She was a loving and supportive mother to her children and grandchildren right until the end. She was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh that used to come out in such endearing ways. Her caring, resilience, and strength of character left a legacy on anyone who met her.

She is survived and greatly missed by daughters Virginia, Madison, WI, Marilyn (Rory) Sharrow, Cross Plains, WI, grandson Matthew, Oregon, WI, granddaughter Breanna of Madison, WI, sister Ann McAlpin, Phoenix, AZ, brother Robert (Connie) Carlson, Seattle, WA and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Lorne and sister-in-law Jean, brother-in-law Larry McAlpin, ex-husband Harry, and her beloved constant canine companion Lily, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will be at Good Shepard Lutheran Church 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, WI on Friday, August 15. Visitation will begin at 10 AM, followed by the service at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to either the American Bible Society (www.americanbible.org/) or the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary(www.bestfriends.org/sanctuary), as she was passionate about faith and animals and supported both organizations.