Magdalene “Maggie” Topitzes

At the age of 82 on July 17th, 2016, Magdalene “Maggie” Topitzes died peacefully from complications of a stroke suffered a few days prior. Maggie is survived by her daughter Deni Banghart; son Dr. James (Deborah Davis); grandchildren Maggie, Lexi, and Billy Miller; and sister Elaine Schindler (Max). In addition, Maggie leaves many adored siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, father John Bovis, and mother Wanda Bovis.

Maggie came to Milwaukee in 1956 from Sioux City, Iowa to accept a position as a school teacher within the Milwaukee Public School system. She spent the next three decades teaching 5th graders at Hampton Elementary School and taught adolescents for the last two years of her career at Samuel Morse Middle School. Beloved by the many students she touched, Maggie brought discipline, warmth, enthusiasm, and clarity to the classroom as a master teacher. Beyond the classroom, she was a devoted wife, mother, friend, and member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church where she served as Sunday school teacher and choir member. After retiring, Maggie led a very active life for 27 rich years. She volunteered her time with the Literacy Services of Wisconsin, and other worthy causes while also traveling extensively with friends and family. Until the last week of her life, she could be found playing bridge tournaments, shooting golf rounds, and completing a weekly exercise routine at her favorite fitness center. She was a shining example of how to live with grace and joy; she will be dearly missed by many.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, July 20th; Trisagion to be held at 7:00 PM. Additional visitation will be on Thursday, July 21, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 9400 West Congress Street from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, with Funeral service 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Maggie, memorials may be offered in her name to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN, 38105 (https://www.stjude.org/) or to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 9400 West Congress Street, Milwaukee, WI 53225.