Obituary: Magdalena “Schatzi” McMillen

September 16, 1943 ~ January 9, 2022

Magdalena “Schatzi” McMillen, 78, of the Town of Liberty Grove, died at home on Sunday, January 9, 2022.

She was born September 16, 1943 in Keokuk, IA, the daughter of John Frederick Steinmann and Lavinia (Willis) Steinmann. Schatzi grew up in Kahoka, MO and graduated from Kahoka High School with the class of 1961. She went on to study at Beloit College in Wisconsin where earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and minored in music (1964).

Schatzi was united in marriage to Mark Floyd McMillen on April 3, 1965 at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka, MO. She initially taught kindergarten at Running Fox Elementary School in Alexandria, MO for a year. Mark served in the United States Air Force, and he and Schatzi relocated to Westover Air Base in Massachusetts. She substitute-taught at area schools during their time there. Schatzi and Mark moved to Sleepy Hollow, IL (just north of Elgin, IL) in 1971 where they raised their daughter and son, Leigh and Mark. As Leigh grew up, Schatzi was active with Girl Scouts, leading Leigh’s Brownie and Girl Scout Troops and supporting Mark’s Cub Scout troops. She supported her children’s education and belonged to the local Parent Teacher Association. Schatzi also taught Sunday school and confirmation classes at Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee, IL where her family attended. She was an avid reader and was employed with Waldenbooks in Dundee, IL for years.

In 1990, Schatzi and Mark retired to Door County and made their home in the Township of Liberty Grove, between Baileys Harbor and Sister Bay. She volunteered with the Door County Habitat for Humanity for many years. She also worked for 10 years at Book World in Sister Bay.

Schatzi loved to cook. Her barbeque shrimp and creme brulee were just a few of her family’s favorites. Schatzi and Mark enjoyed traveling with their family, regularly to Arizona and California, and also to Hawaii and overseas to England, among other places.

Her love will live on in the hearts of her husband, Mark; two children, Leigh (Dominic LoGalbo) McMillen of Glen Ellyn, IL and Mark (Alice) McMillen of Tacoma, WA; three grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew LoGalbo, and Fern McMillen; two siblings, George (Rada) Steinman of Springfield, MO and Wilcox, AZ and Margaret (Harold) Willis of Camp Point, IL; siblings-in-law, Jennie Thompson of Fallbrook, CA and Kent (Sally) McMillen of Lake St. Louis, MO; other relatives; and friends.

Schatzi was preceded in death by her parents; and two siblings, John “Fritz” (Peggy) Steinman and Mary Rowe.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at Casperson Funeral Home, 2594 S. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI 54234 on Monday, January 17, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. with sharing of memories to begin at 1:45 p.m.

Schatzi will be laid to rest in Little Sister Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in (Schatzi’s) name for the Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org).

Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the McMillen family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Schatzi may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.