Marjorie F. Straight ("G.G.")

Marjorie F. Straight (“G.G.”), 100 of La Crosse, passed away in her home on Monday, January 18, 2021. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. Marjorie was also known as “Puddin’ Pie” by her beloved husband Keith of 72 years and known as “G.G.” by her four great grandsons.

Marjorie was born December 5, 1920 to William and Marie Shields on the family farm in Melancthen Creek in Richland County, Wisconsin. There were seven children in the Shields family – five girls and two boys. Marjorie was the fourth child.

She attended school in Richland County in a one-room schoolhouse from grades 1 ^st -8 ^th , and then graduated from Richland Center High School. After high school Marjorie worked in Madison, Wis. as a clerk in local stores.

She married Keith Straight on April 21, 1942. Then Keith was shipped overseas to India for 3 ½ years during World War II. During that time, Marjorie worked in the powder plant in Merrimac, Wis. Marjorie and her daughter, Vicki lived in Muscoda, Wis. with her parents until Keith returned home from the war. Her husband worked for the State of Wisconsin and they lived in Lancaster, Appleton and finally settled in La Crosse, Wis. in 1957.

Marjorie was always active in local parish churches – in the choir, bake sales, Christmas fairs, funeral luncheons, bingo volunteer for nursing homes, an active member in Women’s Club at Blessed Sacrament and the Catholic Daughters. Marjorie was a member of the local VFW and American Legion Auxiliary. During the pandemic of 2020, Marjorie hit a major milestone of turning 100 years old.

Hobbies that she enjoyed were being on local bowling teams, golf outings, traveling with her husband to Europe, Caribbean cruises, traveling in the United States, winter getaways in Florida and Arizona and fishing trips to northern Wisconsin. She was a big sports fan of the Packers, Badgers, Braves and Brewers. She was well known as the “Cookie Lady” for her famous chocolate chip cookies and strawberry jam that she made for family and friends. She cherished her time with her granddaughters and their families, especially with her great grandsons. Her one true pride and joy was planting flowers and maintaining a perfect lawn, which she shared with her husband for 64 years on the 29th Street neighborhood. People were drawn to her not only by her beauty, but her stamina and will to live a healthy, faithful lifestyle. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Moss; three granddaughters who affectionately called her “Grama,” Cristi (Jeff) DiCianni, Lori (Jay) Biondo and Kari (Brian) Savel; four great-grandsons, Anthony and Jake Biondo, Nicolas DiCianni and Gunner Savel; two sisters, Camilla Kawczynski and Beverly Treloar; along with many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by husband Keith; her parents, William and Marie Shields; two sisters, Mildred Pierick and Evelyn Kerkes; two brothers, Dick Shields and Joe Shields.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 1 ^st at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Rev. Peter Raj officiating. Visitation will occur from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass. Following Mass there will be a private family burial in the Richland Center Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Mayo Clinic Health System Cancer Center or Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family.

Marjorie’s family would like to express their sincere thanks to Mayo Hospice Team (Tuesday, Jody, Liz, Kristen and Keith) for their loving care and compassion.