Marilyn Dorothea (Unterholzner) McLean passed away at the Tudor Oaks Retirement Community Muskego, Wis. on May 5, 2026. She was born on May 16, 1931. She went to both grade school and high school in Blanchardville, Wis. After high school she went to school in Chicago and received a certification in X-ray technology. Marilyn then worked for her father, a physician in Blanchardville. In the 1960’s she went back to school at U.W. Milwaukee, became a teacher and worked for the Milwaukee Public Schools until she retired in 1991. She married Robert (Bob) D. McLean of Whitewater July 3, 1953, at the Swiss Reformed Church in New Glarus, Wis. They made their first home in New Glarus and then moved to a number of communities following Bob’s career as a Freight Agent for The Milwaukee Road, these included, Rockford, Ill .; Freeport, Ill .; Mason City, Iowa; Wood Dale, Ill .; and Milwaukee, Wis. In 1971 Robert changed careers and they moved to Hartford, Wis.
Marilyn enjoyed church and was an active member in the churches where she lived. She often taught Sunday school and catechism classes and took the lead on various fund raisers. Volunteer work was also something she enjoyed, she volunteered at Hartford Hospital, The Hartford library, Schauer center and was a member of the Lioness club for several years. One of the things she enjoyed was working with people from other cultures. Bob and Mitzi invited many Rotary international exchange students to live in their home over the years. Marilyn was a member of three bridge groups and played weekly with the girls. She took her family to Scotland to teach them about their heritage and took her family to the Gulf Coast every year over spring break. Everything she did revolved around her love for her husband and family.
She is survived by loving family, son Dr. Andrew R. (Victoria) Mclean EdD, daughter Elizabeth M (Jasmine Allexi) McLean; grandchildren: Mindy (Tony) Necci, Iva McLean, Ginger (Michael) Auchter, Orion Allexi and Ariana Allexi; greatgrandchildren: Cole, Ava and Luke Auchter, Madeline and Frederick Plumley; two brothers, Frank (Barb Bonney) and Charles (Tim) Unterholzner. Further survived by many loving nieces and nephews, other family members and wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by parents Dr. Lawrence J and Muriel L Ladd Unterholzner, husband Robert D. McLean and brother Lawrence “Jake” Unterholzner.
A Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church738 W Monroe Ave, Hartford, WI 53027, with Rev. Hyunmin Lee officiating. Further fellowship will continue after service. Family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Monday from 12:00 p.m .- 12:45 p.m. Interment in Pleasant Hill Cemertery, Hartford, Wis.
Contributions in memory of Mitzi are appreciated to the Hartford Library in care of her family.
The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home – Hartford is serving the family.
Condolences and tributes may be shared: www.Berndt- LedesmaFuneralHome.com