• Visitation: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 from 11 am – 1 pm at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME (4800 S. 84th Street, Greenfield, WI 53228)

• Funeral Service: Tuesday, July 21 at 1 pm at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME (4800 S. 84th Street, Greenfield, WI 53228)

• Interment to follow at GOOD HOPE CEMETERY

Marie Ann Gumz

Marie Ann Gumz, 86, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on July 5, 2026.  Devoted mother of Jonathan (Andrea) of Niedernsill, Austria, Andrew (Leah) of Greendale, Wisconsin, and Elizabeth Knight (Thomas) of Naperville, Illinois, loving grandmother of Eddie, Ella, Lewis, Marcus, Nolan, Amelia, Helen, and Ethan.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Norbert and Ella Puetz (Blomberg), and by her husband, Edward Gumz, to whom she was married from 1969 to 2024.

Marie grew up on a farm in Franklin, WI and graduated first in her class from Greendale High School.  She went on to study at Lawrence University, transferred to Marquette University, and graduated with degrees in education and math.  She then began what would become a fifty-year teaching career at Ben Franklin School in Franklin, WI.  She married Edward J. Gumz in 1969, took a break from teaching to raise a family, and was a stay-at-home mother to Jonathan, Andrew, and Elizabeth, moving to Greendale, WI in 1975.  She returned to teaching in 1986, becoming a technology specialist with Hales Corners Schools.  By the late-1990s, she and Ed had moved to Printers’ Row in Chicago, IL, because Ed had become a professor at Loyola University Chicago.  She became a technology teacher at Francis Xavier Warde School in the Archdiocese of Chicago, which was next to the Loyola University Chicago campus where Ed worked.

Over the next decades, Marie and Ed split their time between Greendale and Chicago, eventually settling full-time in Chicago in 2018, where they were members of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Marie and Ed truly enjoyed their lives in Chicago, but also very much loved to travel, where Marie’s combination of natural curiosity and fearlessness made her an ideal travel companion.  In addition to being an “early adopter” of all things technological and someone with a sharp mathematical mind, Marie trained as a pianist when she was young and remained a passionate supporter of the arts and classical music.  Whether attending the Milwaukee Rep with their good friends, going to the Milwaukee Ballet, making their way to Ravinia in the summer, or walking from their place to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall, Marie, along with Ed, not only deeply appreciated the arts but also made sure to cultivate a love of the arts in their children.  Above all, Marie supported Elizabeth’s career as a professional ballet dancer.

This support reflected Marie’s absolute devotion to her family, which remained a constant to the very end of her life.  From the early years of her children’s lives to their adulthood, to her eight grandchildren, Marie never wavered in her love and support for her family.  Whether watching her grandchildren play soccer, playing with them, or traveling to visit her grandchildren overseas in Europe, Marie possessed an iron determination to support every member of her family in whatever they did. Nothing made her happier than when her whole family was together, especially when she could prepare fantastic meals for everyone.  Marie and Ed had a vital circle of friends whom they especially loved to host at their place in Chicago.  Vigorous into her final years, Marie became a full-time caregiver to Ed from 2022 until his passing in 2024, ferrying him to appointments at Northwestern Hospital and doing everything she could to help him during his difficult final illness.

As Marie’s heart condition subsequently faltered in her final years, she received support not only from her children but also from the staff at the Transportation Building in Chicago, especially Chauncey, Kevin, and Reza, as well as George (her and Ed’s caregiver).  She also was the recipient of years of patient and compassionate care from the doctors, nurses, and staff at Northwestern University Hospital.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 21, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME, 4800 S. 84th Street, Greenfield, WI 53228.  Service at 1:00 PM.  Following the service, there will be a brief burial service at GOOD HOPE CEMETERY, 4141 S. 43rd Street, Greenfield, WI 53220.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that any donations be made in Marie’s name to the Northwestern Memorial Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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