Marion Jean Radichel

Marion Jean Radichel, 81, of Onalaska, was called home to heaven on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

She now lives in the presence of her glorious Lord, not because she earned or deserved it, but solely because of the sacrifice which her Savior Jesus made for her.

Marion was born August 11, 1940, in the Town of Randolph in rural Columbia County, WI, to Reinhold and Alison (Olrick) Bobholz.  She was a 1958 graduate of Randolph High School.  On December 2, 1961, Marion married Dennis Radichel in Friesland, WI.  Dennis preceded her in death on May 21, 2020.

In the early years of their marriage, Dennis and Marion lived in Montello, and later Oshkosh.  During that time, Marion was a beautician and actively involved at St. John’s Lutheran Grade School (Montello) and Grace Lutheran Church and Grade School (Oshkosh) where Dennis was teaching.

In 1973, Dennis and Marion moved to Onalaska where they were longtime members of St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church. Marion began working as the secretary at Luther High School in Onalaska where she worked for four years until Kay was born.  While raising her daughters, she also assisted Dennis at his upholstery shop -- Ed’s Upholstery in Onalaska.  She returned to Luther High School in 1996 and worked as the front office administrative assistant until retiring in 2017.  She loved her time at Luther and impacted so many lives.

Throughout her life, Marion did everything with her whole heart and led with love. To put it simply, she was the sweetest.  She made every person feel special by remembering little details, asking about family, and giving those famous hugs.  If you walked into the front office at Luther, there was good chance you were getting a hug!

In her spare time, she passionately followed the Packers, Badgers, Brewers, and Luther Knights. She also enjoyed gardening, biking, and baking -- if you ever received a tray of her Christmas cookies, you know.  Above all, she loved watching her grandkids grow.  She was a superfan at any and all of their sporting events and concerts, and proudly shared stories of them whenever she had the chance.

Marion is survived by her daughters, Kay Radichel of Minneapolis, MN, and Kim (Tim) Berg of Onalaska; three grandchildren, Andrew, Trenten and Avery Berg; two sisters, Ellen (Del) Wolfrath of Appleton, WI, and Lois (Mike) Vogt of Ypsilanti, MI; late brother Jerry's partner, Chris Williams of Monona, WI; sister-in-law Rhoda Krueger of Mauston, WI, brother-in-law Nate (Lollie) Radichel of Ranier, WA and several nieces, nephews and other extended family members. In addition to her husband, Dennis, Marion was also preceded in death by her parents, Reinhold and Alison Bobholz; two brothers, Wayne Bobholz and his wife, Elizabeth, and Jerry Bobholz.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30pm, on Monday, November 22, at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1201 Main Street in Onalaska, with visitation beginning at 10:30am.  Pastor Shane Krause will officiate. Private family burial will take place in Onalaska City Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Luther High School or St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI.