Marcella Marie Austin
Marcella Marie Austin, 94, of Tomah, was called to her heavenly home on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Touch of Home, Tomah, Wisconsin.
Marcella was born September 12, 1925, to Albert and Elsie (Koehler) Wappler, on the home farm in the township of Clifton. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church at Indian Creek. Marcella was a graduate of Tomah High School, class of 1943. After high school she went on to La Crosse Teacher’s College (now UW- La Crosse). She was teaching at Bear Creek Elementary School when she was united in marriage to Norman Austin on October 25, 1945. Together they lived and worked on a dairy farm in Neillsville, Wisconsin, until 1959 when they sold the farm and moved back to Tomah.
Norman and Marcella were blessed with 3 children, Allen, Marjean, and Steven.
Marcella was a devoted wife, loving mother, and faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah, Wisconsin, where she was active in the Mission Society, Ladies Aid, and a member of the Grace Mission Circle. During the 1960’s and early 70’s, Marcella was the manager for the Tomah Area Credit Union which she operated from their home on E. Brownell Street in Tomah. After the Credit Union moved uptown, she became “The Tupperware Lady”. She enjoyed her parties all over the area where she met and visited with so many people.
Marcella was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, on February 18, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Elsie Wappler; an infant brother; siblings LaVern, Bernice, and Calvin; sisters-in-law, Lillian (LaVern) Wappler, Adeline (Lloyd) Wappler, and Doris (Ray) Boettcher; brothers-in-law, Eddie (Bernice) Hartz and Ray (Doris) Boettcher; and a granddaughter, Stephanie Levy.
Marcella is survived by her children, Allen (Ginger) Austin of Tomah, Marjean (Dave) Levy of Conyers, Georgia, and Steve (Greta) Austin of Tomah; a brother, Lloyd Wappler of Tomah; sister-in-law, Carol Wappler of Onalaska, Wisconsin; 7 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Sam) Brohaugh, Brian (Sherneda) Levy, Jennifer (Matt) Vik, Mike (Jenna) Levy, and Kaitlyn Austin; Jacob (Emily) Eirschele and Katie Eirschele; 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other loving friends and relatives.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, December 19, 2019 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Avenue, Tomah. Pastor Curt Backhaus will officiate. Marcella will be laid to rest in Mount Vernon Cemetery, town of Tomah. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 9:30 AM until times of services at the church. Online condolences may be left at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
The family request memorials to be given in Marcella’s memory to St Paul Ev Lutheran Church Minister Prep Fund, 525 Superior Ave. Tomah, WI.
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