Marilea A. Hughes-Reinke
March 25, 1942 – June 17, 2026
Marilea A. Reinke, age 84, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Marilea was born on March 25, 1942, in Monrovia, California, to Hilary and Evelyn Hughes (Steiner). On October 28, 1960, she married James J. Sadowski, and they were blessed with five children. On May 30, 1987, she married Gerald J. Reinke. She was also blessed with ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Marilea was a devoted and loving mother. She loved her family deeply and treasured her many friends of all ages.
From an early age, she learned responsibility and compassion while helping care for her siblings at the age of 15. Those early experiences helped shape the strong, hardworking mother she became when she began raising her own children at the age of 20. She taught her children the value of love, faith, kindness, responsibility, and hard work, putting their hearts and souls into everything they did.
In her mid-30s, Marilea once again found herself a single woman, working two jobs to provide for her children. Throughout her working years, Marilea held at least 4 receptionist positions, including at Sajac, Green Giant, Pillsbury, and Wisconsin Fulfillment Inc. She also worked as a waitress and hostess at Old Hickory and Sunset Hills Supper Club. After Wisconsin Fulfillment Inc. closed, she worked as a cashier at Culver’s in Beaver Dam.
Marilea gave generously of her time and heart. She volunteered at First Lutheran Church, participated in Be-frienders and Bible study, and helped start the Script program. She enjoyed a girls’ card club that rotated among friends’ homes, and she loved the time spent laughing, visiting, and sharing life with others, which Included her Loaves and Fishes gals these past couple of years.
She also had a creative spirit. Marilea enjoyed scrapbooking with her daughter Lisa and became especially interested in digital scrapbooking. She started a Scrapbook Club in her basement and helped many family members and friends begin the hobby as well. Marilea supported her husband Jerry’s passion for baseball and traveled with him as he coached. She was also a proud supporter of her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, following many activities, including water skiing, football, wrestling, baseball, skating, singing, acting, soccer, and whatever else was going on. If family was involved, Marilea wanted to be there.
Frequent trips to Lido Beach, Florida, with family were a treasured tradition and necessary. The whole family celebrated Marilea’s 80th birthday there, creating memories that we will cherish for years to come.
Genealogy was one of Marilea’s greatest passions. Like her father, she had the gift of conversation and could easily strike up a talk with anyone. After a couple of questions, she often knew how someone fit into a family tree or how their family connected to hers. Friends were amazed by how she would know someone she knew anywhere they would go. She loved learning “who belonged to whom” and completing several branches of her family tree.
Marilea enjoyed trips to the casino, often going with Jerry, and after his passing, her friend Jane became her partner in crime. She also returned to her Catholic faith, something she had often thought she would do.
Marilea is survived by her children, Lori Norenberg (Dick) of Spring Green, Scott (Shanen) Sadowski of Neenah, Steven (Kristine) Sadowski of Mayville, and Brian (Alison) Sadowski of Beaver Dam; grandchildren, Mindy Stilen, Megan (Justin) Josephs, Mark (Maddie) Butterbrodt, Cody (Cora)Sadowski, Cassidy Sadowski, Parker Sadowski, Emma Sadowski (fiancé Morgan Fitzgerald), Felicia (Ryan) Anderson, and Taylor Sadowski (fiancé Ryan Stanton); and several great-grandchildren; Ryan Alloway, Damien Stilen, Allison Stilen, Patience Moore, Isabella Stilen, Sophie Anderson, Asher Anderson, Blaze Anderson, and Seeley Fitzgerald. And 1 Great great granddaughter Raynn Alloway. Marilea was loved by many nieces and nephews through her siblings: Erika (Ryan) Kalis; Tony (Molly) Hanson; Mark (Doreen) Hughes; Cara (James) Baker; Shane (Hailey) Hughes; Amanda Hughes (Michael) Tedesco; Christopher Hughes; and Sean Hughes. Michelle Robillard, Billy Zieske, Craig, and Melissa Zieske. Brothers Steve (Patrice) Hughes, John (Mary) Hughes, Lee (Janet) Anderson, Sister Janelle Anderson along with numerous special nieces, nephews, on the Sadowski/Reinke side, with other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilary and Evelyn Hughes; stepmother, Helen Hughes; husband, Gerald Reinke; daughter, Lisa Butterbrodt; son-in-law, Gene Norenberg; daughter-in-law, Ann Sadowski; grandson-in-law, Jake Stilen; granddaughter, Alysa Sadowski; nephew, Bradley Hughes; sister-in-law, Audrey and her husband Leonard Roedl; brother-in-law, Bill and his wife Gail Reinke. sisters, Melinda Hanson and her husband Phil Hanson, and Lynette Zieske and her husband Jim Zieske. Marilea was the glue that held her family together. Her love, strength, stories, faith, and devotion to family will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Funeral Home, 135 Keller Boulevard. Visitation will continue Friday, June 26, 2026, at St. Katherine Drexel Church, 511 S. Spring Street, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. A private family burial will take place later
If desired memorial can be made to Loaves and Fishes
The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. M. Lucarelli, Teresa WiersmaNP, Randolph Heath Services and Prairie Ridge Hospital in Columbus, especially on the 4th floor for the outstanding care they provided Marilea with this past year.
The family thanks Marilea’s friends who help us out when needed Pastor Jim Wendt, Jane, Cindy, Edie, and Laurel.
Special thanks to Todd Michael and his staff at Cornerstone Funeral Home.
