Marcella Grimsled
On Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, the center of our family, Marcella Grimsled, passed away. Mom left this earth after 91 years, leaving behind to mourn her, her seven children, Sandy (Steve) Rotier, Muriel (Mark) Kramer, Penny (Dennis) Lenzendorf, Dixie Grimsled, Denise (Dean) Lenzendorf, Jeff (friend Sue) Grimsled, Jay (Kristy) Grimsled; her beloved sister, Shirley Edwards, 24 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Marrying (Harry Grimsled, 1945) into a family of Norwegians, mom soon became the chief lefsa maker. Before her death, she tried passing on her skill of lefsa making to her children, and these lessons will continue into the future. Mom’s hobbies were many and varied: embroidering, reading (anyone needing to check out a book, she has a library), baking, watching Gunsmoke and her favorite pastimes were her lunches and playing cards with her friends.
As the years passed, mom’s world was the view from her living room window. As she watched the birds feed, especially the hummingbirds, she knew when they would arrive to put out the feeders and when they would leave to take them down. The kids walking to school, neighbors walking their dogs, and on some days, she could tell you the number of semi trucks passing through town.
As the grandchildren arrived and came to visit, their first stop was the Little White Hen cookie jar on the corner of the counter. They were never disappointed; a cookie was always available. With the arrival of great-grandchildren, the treats changed to measuring cups of marshmallows, (one person seemed to always get the large cup), a treat cupboard was also established with Little Debbies, Twinkies, fruit snacks, and Three Musketeers, much to the chagrin of the parents. As the grandkids and great-grandkids grew, mom became their confidant. They knew their secrets were safe with her. Mom’s favorite line, when a parent made an announcement, was “I already knew that.” As Bob Hope would say, “Thanks for the memories.” We love you, your kindness, your acceptance, your advice, and your knowledge of our family will remain in our hearts forever.
Preceding her in death was our dad, Harry; her parents, Lester and Cleota (Payne) Wilkinson; brothers Kenneth “John,” Larry “Pete” and Roger Wilkinson; sisters, Darlene Boylen and Phyllis Heisz.
Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Sterling Lutheran Church, Pastor Nile Sandeen officiating, with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. and at church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Seneca Educational Foundation (SEF) or Crossing Rivers Hospice.
The Garrity Funeral Home, of Prairie du Chien, is assisting the family.
