Marvin F Meissen

Marvin F. Meissen, age 88, dedicated family man, a devoted educator, mentor, and military officer, passed away on August 9, 2025, leaving behind a profound legacy of service, scholarship, and a deep commitment to education. His life was marked by a devotion to family, learning, leadership, and community.

Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, science educator, military leader, school leader, were roles he represented throughout a loving and purposeful life well lived. He had a deep and abiding love for his wife Patricia A. Lee - Meissen and his large extended family. As an exemplary educator, he took great pride in mentoring, supporting, and facilitating the growth in others.

Marvin was born January 21, 1937, to parents Raymond Francis and Marie Agnes (Place) Meissen, in a small farming community, Durand, Illinois, where the values of education, service, leadership, and hard work were nurtured. Marvin became a first-generation college graduate, earning a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign in 1958. While there, he was honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate in the ROTC, beginning a lifelong commitment to leadership and public service. He went on to earn his M.S. in science education from the University of Illinois in 1963 and later a Ph.D. in Educational Administration with honors distinction of the Phi Kappa Phi Society from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1973.

Marvin began his educational career in the Durand Community School District teaching science and mathematics. When Robert M LaFollette Sr. High School - Madison, Wisconsin, opened in 1963, he was part of building the science program from the ground up and taught chemistry. He remained there until 1967, after which he became the Science Coordinator for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), serving in that role until 1973.

From 1974 to 1978, Marvin contributed to research and curriculum in the area of cognitive development at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Education, and research and evaluation with the Madison Metropolitan School District. He also served as President of the Wisconsin State Science Teachers Association, championing excellence in science education statewide.

His leadership in public education continued as Assistant Principal at Madison West High School from 1978 to 1984, and later as Principal of Velma Hamilton Middle School from 1984 until his retirement in 1994. Through every role, he remained a tireless advocate for students and teachers alike.

Marvin proudly served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, further exemplifying his commitment to service. Additionally, he served on the Edgewood Campus School Board and was in leadership roles with religious education in the Catholic Diocese of Madison and St. Dennis. He was active with the Schoenstatt community.

Marvin has four generations of teachers represented in his family. His enduring legacy lives on through his children who all became teachers and school leaders dedicating over 30 years each to teaching and educational leadership. The Meissen family’s commitment to education includes three generations of Ph.D.s in Educational Leadership/Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin – Madison: Marvin (1973), his son's Phillip (2005), Michael (1990) and his granddaughter, Kristina (Meissen) (2012).

Marvin was the proud patriarch of a large family. He is survived by his wife, Patricia A. Lee - Meissen, sister, Clarissa Suzanne Richter, sister, Carolyn Marie (Steve) Panoske, sister in law, Margaret Ann (Goldy) Meissen, former spouse, Patricia A. Meissen, five children, son, Phillip Andrew (Gail) Meissen, daughter, Theresa Susan Meissen (Kyle Mathews), son, Michael James Meissen (Debbie Fairweather), daughter, Anna Bernadette (Michael) Brown, daughter, Christina Collette (Michael) Dunn.

Grandchildren: Danielle (Tony) Wampole, Kari (Nick) Glattard, Aaron (Torri) Meissen, Brad (Lauren) Meissen, Katelyn (Jake) Keller, Nathan (Ebba) Brown, Matthew (Marie) Brown, Lauren (Brian) Mixtacki, Kristin (Ben) Lipanot, Keahn (Megan) Dunn, Kevin Dunn, and, 25 great-grandchildren are all carrying forward his values of service, scholarship, and integrity.

Marvin was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Francis Meissen, mother, Marie Agnes (Place) Meissen, brother, Donald Eugene Meissen, brother-in-law, Marvin George Richter, daughter-in-law, Karen Ellen (Erickson) Meissen, granddaughter, Kristina Marie Meissen and, great granddaughter, Karina Maria.

Marvin F. Meissen’s life was a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring impact of public service. Family and the community that he served have benefited from Marvin's teaching and the humility of leading by example that he displayed throughout his life. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

A visitation will be held at St. Dennis Catholic Church, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, on Monday, August 18, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, with visitation at 10:00 AM and Mass at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, with Father William Nolan presiding. A Luncheon will follow Mass in the Parish Center at the Church. The burial with Military Honors will be held at 2:30 PM at Sunset Memory Gardens, 7302 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI 53717.

Memorial donations can be made to: Madison Community Foundation, 111 N Fairchild Street

Madison, Wisconsin 53703, with the fund name: “#8021369 Meissen, Brown, and Dunn Family Giving Fund” written in the memo portion of your check. The Donor Directed: Meissen, Brown, Dunn - Family Giving Fund to support causes within the Madison Community.  www.madisongives.org/meissen

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3325 E. Washington Ave.

Madison (608) 249-6666

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