Marie Leona Weber

Marie was born to her parents, Edward and Mary (Gebel) Weber, on May 17, 1932, in Elma, Iowa. After her father’s death in 1939, the family moved to New Hampton, Iowa. Marie attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and New Hampton High School, graduating in 1950. She subsequently enrolled at Iowa State Teachers College (currently, the University of Northern Iowa). After earning her B.A. degree in physical education, she taught in the public schools of Iowa and Massachusetts.

Continuing her education, Marie earned her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physical Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She joined the staff in the Women’s Department of Physical Education and Dance at the University in 1963, first as an instructor and later as a professor, for the next 17 years. In 1980, she was appointed to the Dean’s staff in the School of Education, assuming the title of Director of the Office of Field Experience. In this position, she coordinated the School’s Student Teaching and Human Relations Programs, and the School of Education’s Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) program for incoming freshmen. In collaboration with her university and overseas colleagues, Marie designed and implemented an overseas student teaching program in Peterborough, England. Students who selected this alternative to the usual semester-long student teaching experience in Wisconsin schools, spent the first half of the semester teaching in a local school and second half of the semester in a Peterborough school.

After twenty-seven years of service to the University, Marie retired in 1980 having achieved Distinguished Service and Emerita Status. In 2004, she was inducted as an outstanding alumnus and a charter member of the Hall of Excellence in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services at the University of Northern Iowa.

In retirement, Marie continued to participate in various volunteer activities and traveled extensively. Marie loved Lucy, her family and friends, visits from Michael and Sandy, teaching, vacationing in Hawaii in winter and Door County during summer, books, and classic movies. She loved sports, especially swimming, skiing, and biking. She enjoyed driving the Miata, attending Badger and Packer games, breakfast with friends, and attending St. Dunstan’s church. And her most sweet, perfect dog, Snickers.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Muriel, and brothers, Norbert, Robert, and Delano, her longtime companion, Lucy Wallace, a nephew, David Weber, and nieces, Cheryl Sheehy, Christine Weber, and Vicki (Edward) Kennedy, sister-in-law Verna (Norbert) Weber, and brother-in-law Maurice (Muriel) Sheehy. Surviving Marie are nephews, Michael (Sandy) Sheehy, Clark (Sonja) Weber, and Alan (Jill) Weber; nieces Michelle (Dale) Schmitt, Connie (Tom) Smyrk, Mary (Mindy) Weber and Pam (Kerrie) Weber; sisters-in-law Joan (Robert) Weber and Carole (Delano) Weber; several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on August 2nd, 2025 at St. Dunston's Episcopal Church, 6205 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin. Visitation from 10:00am-11:00am and memorial service at 12:00 Noon.

Marie was an incredibly kind and generous person, and her friends and family meant everything to her. She will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Agrace Hospice or a local animal rescue organization.