Marian A Shoning

Marian A. Shoning, 83, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was born on October 2, 1929 in La Crosse to Irving and Gertrude (Schlabach) Wetchen. Marian went to schools in Pine Creek and Houston, MN and graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1947. She worked for the La Crescent Telephone Co. and later for the US Postal Service for 30 years, retiring in 1984. After her retirement she enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels, delivering church service tapes to shut-in members of her church, and volunteer driving for SEMCAC. In her younger years she was very active in her church with youth groups, as a Sunday school teacher, and as a member of the choir. In the last few years she still kept her faith by watching services on television with her Big Sis.

On March 23, 1964 she married the love of her life, Robert Shoning, in Las Vegas. Bob and Marian were very active members of the Ex-POWs, which was a very large part of their lives. They also enjoyed traveling the country, especially going down south during the winter months.

She is survived her sister and best friend, Jean Oldenburg, a niece Ardith Lutz, nephews, Duane (Donna), Darrel (Miriam), Dwight (Marlys), and Darwin (Kelli) Oldenburg, and Dennis (Darlene) Wetchen, great nieces, Kim (Neal) Boeder, Shalynn (Adam) Frank, and Kari Oldenburg, great nephews, Jeremy, Dustin, Jordan, Kyle, Travis and Nicholas Oldenburg, step-children Jeannie (Richard) Lester, Bob (Linda) Shoning, LanaCox, and Patricia Shoning,and their families, and many dear cousins, friends and neighbors who will miss Marian dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, a brother Irving Bud Wetchen, a brother-in-law, Art Oldenburg, a sister-in-law Jeannie Wetchen, two nephews, Dale and Richard Wetchen, and her little angel Sheba.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 27th, 2012 at 11:00 AM at La Crescent United Methodist Church. Pastor Greg Nelson will officiate. Private family committal services will be held in the Toledo Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation.

Marian was known for being a strong person and showed us her strength during her battle with cancer. Everyone who knew Marian loved being a part of her life and will miss her dearly.