We are honored to share the stories behind the OAF's Founding Members - Meet Maureen Stapleton!
by Rebecca Seymour
More than 20 years ago, passionate idea makers living in the Oconomowoc area sparked a movement. Inspired by Lorleberg True Value Hardware store owner and Oconomowoc philanthropist Hilbert N. Scherffius (1909-1997), 47 members of our community, along with Bank Five Nine, ISB Community Bank, MSI General Corporation, and the Oconomowoc Kiwanis Breakfast Club imagined what could happen if neighbors dedicated to giving back in meaningful ways could join resources together to make positive changes within their community for generations to come.
We are grateful for our Founding Members who pledged their support in the initial campaign. The legacies they have created and the differences they are making in our community are worth talking about! We are honored to share their wonderful stories in our “Ripple Effects” Newsletter and under the “News” tab on the OAF Website.
We are honored to shine a spotlight on OAF Founder – Maureen Stapleton
Maureen was born and raised in Oconomowoc. She has fond memories of growing up on South Street where Oconomowoc’s City Beach was just one block away.
Maureen Stapleton has fond memories of growing up in Oconomowoc. Pictured are Maureen with her brother Tim in their backyard on South Street.
“I remember I had to hold my brother Tim’s hand to cross the avenue to get to the beach and it would be packed. Growing up in Oconomowoc was fabulous, and to see that we still have the wonderful places like City Beach and the Bandshell and our amazing American Legion Band – it puts a smile on my face,” reminisced Maureen. “We have so much to offer with our natural resources, and amazing events like the German Christmas Market. And no one has more parades than we do! We thrive on them and they bring people together, and people want to stay.”
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in marketing and merchandising and obtaining her master’s degree in vocational education, Maureen taught at the University of Wisconsin-Stout prior to returning to her beloved hometown of Oconomowoc. Having long-term knowledge and a love of the area, Maureen began her career in real estate which has now spanned more than 40 years.
In 1981, Maureen established Stapleton Realty, serving hundreds of home buyers and sellers in the Lake Country area. In 1982, she received her appraisal license which turned Stapleton Realty into a full-service brokerage firm.
Maureen served as President of the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce for two terms and received the prestigious honor of “Citizen of the Year” in 1985. She proudly continues her community involvement and was recently nominated for the Woman in Business Leadership Award.
Maureen has served on boards of directors, including 1st Bank Financial Centre (Bank Five Nine), Rogers Hospital, The Catholic Community Foundation of Milwaukee, and on several committees for the Oconomowoc Area Free Clinic, WCTC, Shorehaven, and the YMCA at Pabst Farms.
In 2002, Maureen and a core group of Oconomowoc residents began meeting to share ideas focused on joining their resources to help change lives and make the greater Oconomowoc community a better place to live, work and play.
The idea of the Oconomowoc Area Foundation was set in motion, and since its inception more than 20 years ago, the community foundation has awarded 4.7 million dollars to more than 125 area nonprofit organizations.
“I have lived here all my life. People ask, ‘What can I do to help?’ You show up, roll up your sleeves and get in tune with what’s going on in your community. Not everyone knows how to give, and it’s up to us to reach out to others about our mission to help people and bring an awareness of the changing needs within our community,” added Maureen.
Oconomowoc Area Foundation founding member, Maureen Stapleton
Maureen also served on the OAF’s first board of directors, along with Craig Schiefelbein, Bruce Brown, Joan Brown, Jerry Burchardt, John Cooley, Dirk Debbink, Richard Gallagher, Dan Gotter, Jack Grothaus, Mary Henszey, Phil Holland, Sharon Manke, Jerry Snyder, Tom Snyder, and Gert Wilkinson.
From the bottoms of our hearts – thank you, Maureen for all that you do for the Oconomowoc community!
