Marian Elrae Roesler

Marian Elrae Roesler, 92 of La Crosse passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2020 the way she wanted, peacefully, in her home.

She was born May 2, 1928, in La Crosse, WI to Rudie and Lucy (Klug) Kammel. She worked at the La Crosse Ice Company for a short time and as a waitress at the Green Lantern in Galesville before her marriage to the love of her life, Robert E. Roesler on June 1, 1949. He preceded her in death on August 15, 1962 as the result of a farm accident. With the help of her parents-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, children, and friends Marian remained on the family farm and continued farming while raising her six children until 1987, when she retired.

She was raised on the family farm near St. Joseph’s Ridge where she learned her work ethic at a young age. She fondly recalled memories and antics from those early years. She graduated from Aquinas High School in 1946 and enjoyed the annual reunions. She was a long-standing member of Holy Trinity parish in La Crosse where she belonged to the Altar Society. She enjoyed donating kuchens to the annual Chicken Que and fundraiser. She also belonged to the Eagles, Moose and Concordia. Old time music was one of her loves and she enjoyed dancing to the waltz and polkas in her younger days. The farm was also her love. After she left the farm in 1980, moving to her house just east of the farm, she continued to help out at the farm wherever she could. Her son Mark took over the farm. In the last years he had a few cattle brought to the farm each spring so Marian could watch over them in the pasture from her front window, keeping track of when they calved and watching the calves grow until they were taken off the farm in the fall.

Watching the birds at her feeders gave her a lot of joy. She had to do battle with marauding raccoons and thieving squirrels though. The BB gun stood ready at the door so she could try to sneak out and shoot at the squirrels to scare them away. Live traps were used to get rid of the night visiting raccoons.

She got very good at wood crafts, cutting out and painting various lawn ornaments, snowflakes, and Christmas stars. Her artistic talent shined when she painted the crafts, in very accurate detail. Getting patterns, redrawing them and getting enlargements from Insty Prints, where she was a frequent visitor, kept her busy. She was a problem solver and fixer upper and her “mess room” and garage showed evidence of all the supplies she used it accomplish the tasks she set for herself.

She loved family, organizing picnics and get togethers. One of her favorite parts was enjoying the sweets – cakes, bars, cookies. And butter. It was amazing that she stayed as trim as she did. Her usual contribution to picnics and family Christmas gatherings was cheesy potatoes which she made from scratch. She modified the recipe so that it was really her own. These potatoes would make their way home with the grandchildren because she would make extra pans of them just so she could give them away.

Marian is survived by her children, Steve (fiancé, Jane Simpson), Jeanne (Steve/Rabbi) Rosendale, Gary (Kristie) Roesler, Sandy (Roger) Mathison, Mark (Kris) Roesler, Diane (Delman) Growth; 16 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren; one sister, Marce (Syl) Liebl; one brother Reinald (Darlene) Kammel, sisters-in-law, Rosie Kammel, Ethelyn Thiele, and Pat Kammel; also special friend Marilyn Perztsch and “Number One Son” Gary Thurk. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents Rudie and Lucy Kammel, siblings Gerald, Eugene, Kenneth and Donald Kammel, and Evie Mikshowski; one sister-in-law, Jean(Justin) Kammel; one son-in-law, Eric Gilbertson; one daughter-in-law, Debbie (Friermood) Roesler.

In recognizing the risks presented by COVID-19, a Mass of Christian burial for the immediate family members only will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church La Crosse. The Rev. Rick Roberts will officiate. Burial will follow in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Visitation for the general public will be held from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass at the church. All are invited to join us for a Celebration of Life at the family farm starting at 12 noon Sunday, Oct. 4. Those in attendance Sunday and Monday are asked to practice safe social distancing and a face covering is highly encouraged.

Marian’s family would like to thank the Mayo Hospice organization and staff. They were only involved with her care for a short time, but their caring, compassion and helpfulness was extraordinary. We can’t say enough about the care planning and advocating that they did for her.

In lieu of flower, memorials may be made out to the family where funds will be dispersed to Marian’s designated charities.