Marlene M. Filter

Marlene Marie Filter, 84, of Cedarburg passed away peacefully on the morning of October 16, 2025 from complications of long-term diabetes. She was born in Amherst Junction, WI on February 6, 1941, the daughter of Theodore (Ted) and Bridget Konkol (nee Lemanchik) of Amherst Junction.

Marlene grew up in Amherst Junction and graduated from Amherst High School in 1958. After graduation, she moved to Milwaukee to open up greater opportunities, landing at Allen Bradley. While working at Allen Bradley, Marlene would travel back home on the weekends and would often pick up shifts at one of the local watering holes, Lake Emily Inn. At the same time, her future husband, Arthur (Art) Filter, had just started coming “up north” from Cedarburg to the new hunting land his father had just purchased, and one night on a bar hopping excursion, Art wandered into Lake Emily Inn with his best friend Dennis. Marlene immediately wooed him into submission, and the two started dating – aided by the fact they both lived and worked in the Milwaukee area during the week and went up north to Amherst Junction on the weekends. The two would later marry on May 10, 1969, and were married for 55 years until Art’s passing on October 31, 2024. After getting married, the couple purchased their first house in Port Washington, WI, where Marlene would eventually pick up another job as a waitress at the famous Smith Brothers, and later another serving role at The Black Kettle in Milwaukee working along side her sister, Jan. Marlene and Art eventually moved to Cedarburg, where Art ran Filter Oil, and Marlene maintained the core books until they sold the business in 2008 and retired alongside Art.

In her free time, Marlene was always one to ferociously spoil her kids and grandkids, had a deep love for her dogs and spoiled them worse (including daily runs to McDonald’s), and always made time for family at gatherings and events locally in Cedarburg and back in Amherst Junction. She was the massive sports fan of the family, never missing a game on TV for the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, or Marquette – so much so she put Art constantly in the doghouse for saying anything disparaging about any of the teams. She loved family dinners, every family holiday, and getting back “home” to Amherst Junction to see family – few things took priority over her family.

Marlene is survived by her children Todd (Beth) Filter of Hubertus, WI, and Kristin Filter of Jackson, WI; grandchildren: Preston, J.P., Jillian, and Jameson; siblings: Robert (Butch) Konkol of Amherst, Judy Vandergrift of Kansas City, MO, Lyle (Darlene) Konkol of Casper, WY, Rusty (Linda) Konkol of Amherst Junction, and Lynn (Kirk) Booher of Waunakee. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Art; parents: Theodore (Ted) and Bridget Konkol; older sister, Jan (Rudy) Trzebiatowski of Amherst Junction, and sister-in-law Diane (Butch) Konkol of Amherst.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 22 at St. Francis Borgia North at 1375 Covered Bridge Road in Cedarburg at 2:30 PM, with Fr. Patrick Burns officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Wed. from 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM. Burial will take place at Immanuel Cemetery, immediately following the service. The family will receive friends and relatives after burial at the American Legion Post in Cedarburg, starting at 4:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marlene’s name may be made St. Francis Borgia North Catholic Church.