Like a swift squall in the night, cancer swept away the mortality of Maren from all of us, but couldn't darken the spirit of creativity and generosity which will continue to dwell in the hearts of all of us who have lived in the embrace of her unconditional love.

Maren Kristin Torrison was lovingly welcomed into this world by her parents, James and Audrey Torrison, on the weekend of Mother's Day, May 9th, 1949, in Manitowoc WI.

On April 18th, 2025, in Appleton WI, Maren shed the suffering of this world on Easter weekend at sunset, on Good Friday, with her devoted husband Michael and her ever-loved daughters, Polly and Meg, right by her side.

In 1967, Maren graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc. Following graduation, Maren attended the Manitowoc Extension for two years and loved every minute of it! She was involved in the student governing board and had the best of times with the dear friends she made. Next, Maren attended UW Oshkosh for two years and had an equally fabulous time living away from home, fully enjoying adventures of the late 1960's with more new friends, and, as she would often tell us, "I got to be a whole new person and recreate myself!" Maren's major was Elementary Education, but her true passion was her minor area of study - Art.

Maren lived her life wholly through an artistic lens. Everything she created was art - the most beautiful home for her family, her gardens that were selected to be part of the esteemed Garden Walk, her signature notes with her legendary penmanship, her thoughtfully chosen and expertly wrapped gifts, her lifelong choices of the coolest eyeglass frames in town, and her classic-with-a-twist styled wardrobe.

Maren's sense of style definitely caught Michael's eye in the summer of 1970 when they met at a martini making party in their hometown of Manitowoc. Michael quickly noticed Maren's beautiful way of being and was intrigued! A number of months later, the two were joined in marriage on March 13th, 1971. Maren was deeply proud of, and grateful for, the unwavering love and commitment she and Michael grew into for 54 years.

In this heartbreakingly final year of Maren's life, one of the few times she consistently lit up was when she told people that she and Michael were celebrating 54 years of marriage this spring - her marriage to Michael meant everything to her and grounded and guided her through the unsteadiness of her final months in their absolute "worst of times".

Maren did not want to leave Michael, nor her children, grandchildren, friends, dear First English Lutheran Church community, or beloved neighborhood. Maren intended to continue her artform of living life well and reaching her 76th birthday in May.

Maren reiterated in her final months that family was her heart's center in life. In October of 1971, Maren and Michael welcomed their first daughter Polly into the world. A few years later, in 1975, they were overjoyed to have their second daughter, Meg, make them a family of four! In July of 1997, Michael and Maren's family gained a son when Polly married Kyle Tripp. Three years later, Meg expanded the family once more in her marriage to Eli Woyke in June of 2000. Soon after, in 2002, Maren entered a most treasured chapter of her life when she became a grandmother with the birth of Polly and Kyle's son, Jack, on Michael's birthday, January 12th! Almost three years later, granddaughter Gretta arrived, making Jack a brother and completing Maren and Michael's family. Being Jack and Gretta's "Marmie" was one of the greatest joys Maren experienced in her lifetime. She was endlessly proud of Jack and Gretta and the perseverant, kind, and successful people she helped grow-into-being. Like her mother Audrey, when faced with her final days approaching, she acknowledged that her greatest sorrow in leaving this life would be missing out on being here with Jack and Gretta as they continue to grow into themselves and their bright futures.

Maren's pride in the family she nurtured of course extended to all family members. Maren was extremely proud of Michael and his 47 years (and counting) of excellence in teaching and being the longest-serving director of Renaissance School For The Arts. She cheered on Polly in pursuing her various types of teaching, coaching, and opening her own Yoga studio. Maren marveled at how her daughter Meg thrived and succeeded at the highest of levels as a very independent and intelligent woman in her male-dominated field of law. Additionally, Maren loved sharing talents and passions in art, interior design, and gardening with Meg.

Another profound passion of Maren's was her love and commitment to creating a more just society and this led her to faithfully contribute to dozens of organizations that shared her dedication to assisting those who suffered most from economic inequality as well as those who have been further marginalized and denied justice and dignity through heartless legislation and cruel presidential edicts.

Maren's dedication to equality and uplift extended far beyond financial donations as she assisted many others in our community, from helping first graders learn how to read at Edison Elementary school to driving the sick and elderly to appointments and church. If you were a friend of Maren's, and fell upon dark days, she would lend you the gifts of her time, guidance, resources, and belief in you to elevate yourself. Maren knew how to hold grounding and space for people. If you dropped-in at her house, she would stop what she was doing and would give you her full attention. Maren was very stable and present in a society that is often fickle and fleeting .

Maren is survived by her husband, Michael, Appleton WI; her daughters Polly Tripp and her husband Kyle Tripp and their children, Jack and Gretta, Appleton WI; Meg Pekarske and her husband Eli Woyke, Middleton WI. Additionally, Maren is survived by Michael's siblings and spouses, Patricia (Thomas) Ciha, Wooster, OH; Kathryn (Norb) Masterlark, Manitowoc WI; Mary (Ron) Lese, Larrabee WI; John (Estella) Pekarske, Jefferson, GA; Joseph (Mary) Pekarske, Pensacola, FL; James Pekarske, Centennial, CO; and Nancy (Bob) DeWitt, Manitowoc. Maren loved her many nieces and nephews and had special, lifelong, connections with her nephews, Carson Wolfmeyer and Ben Torrison, and Kitty Torrison. Maren will also be deeply missed by extended family members, her tightly-knit neighborhood, and many friends.

Maren was preceded in death by her parents, James and Audrey Torrison, her brother, Scott Torrison, her parents-in-law, Jack and Eunice Pekarske, her brother-in-law, Daniel Pekarske, her close cousin, Sue Grant, and dearest friend Peggy LeClair.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for First English Lutheran Church in Appleton. Additionally, Michael will be making donations to young artist organizations in Maren's name (checks for young artist donations can be made to Michael Pekarske).

The funeral services will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, at FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH - DOWNTOWN SITE, 326 E North St., Appleton. The visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with the 11:00 a.m. service to follow. Lunch will be held at the church after the service.