Marlis Anna Wessel Obituary

Marlis Anna Wessel, of Brookfield, WI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the age of 85. She was born in Braunschweig, Germany to Rudolf and Hildegard Hoppe. Marlis grew up in the shadow of a world war, and from the beginning had an indomitable spirit that would conquer adversity with grace her entire life.

As a young adult, Marlis decided on a career in hotel management, and after a few hotels in Germany, she left to spend a year working in London. In 1962, she decided to visit her sister who was living in Milwaukee. Little did she know, the family friend with a car who picked her up at the airport would become her husband. Marlis married George Wessel in 1964, and they chose to live in Wisconsin and raised four children.

Her move to America and marriage changed her vocational focus to raising children. However, when the opportunity arose, Marlis revealed her keen business acumen by starting Multi-Tech Machining with her husband. At the business, George managed the shop floor and Marlis took on the role of chief financial officer. After 23 years of operating a successful enterprise, George and Marlis sold the company and retired in 2009.

Marlis had a life-long love for travel, and together with her husband, they explored the world. Closer to home, she took great pride in caring for her garden, fighting a lifelong battle against deer and rabbits. She also loved to cook and bake, mastering the recipes handed down from her German heritage. But however busy she was, she enjoyed sitting down for some "kaffee and kuchen" in the afternoon, whether it was in a café in Paris, or on the patio in their backyard.

Family, however, was most important to her. Marlis spent the last months of her life celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, many birthdays, and best of all, her 60th wedding anniversary with George, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Marlis is survived by her beloved husband, George; her children; Martin (Debbie) Wessel, Christina (Eric Rautio) Wessel and Michael Wessel and her cherished granddaughter Allison and step-grandson Connor. She is also survived by her siblings; Irmtraud Mrozek, Helga Schlie and Eberhard Hoppe, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Marlis was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Brian Wessel, and her brother-in-law, Helmut Schlie.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 22, at Ridgewood Church (2720 Lilly Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005) at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Marlis to Village Creek Bible Camp, the cancer charity of your choice, or by supporting a family impacted by cancer. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to staff at LindenGrove and Legacy Hospice who went above and beyond to bring comfort in her final weeks.

Schmidt & Bartelt of Menomonee Falls, WI is serving the family.