Marion Gabriel passed away peacefully at 92 years old on November 30th 2023 at Heritage Lakeside Nursing Home.

Marion was born in Green Bay, to George and Anna Merich. She was nicknamed “Babe” on the farm as Marion was the youngest of the seven children in the family. As a very young teenager, she courageously and creatively moved to Chicago and got a job. Chicago is where she met and married William R. Gabriel and they were married 47 years. They settled down in Romeoville, Illinois where Marion’s career as a personal nanny was a natural fit for her love of children. William and Marion raised three children of their own, Billy George, Barbara Ann, and Peggy Ann.

Marion and her husband retired to the country life in Chatsworth, Illinois where they had chickens, a dog, and an acre of land. They lived there until her husband died in 1996 and she moved to West Michigan to live with her youngest daughter, Peggy, and family. There she again, helped with taking care of her grandchildren and household chores, laundry being her favorite. She liked to care for the flower garden all spring and summer and cheer for the Green Bay Packers in the fall. She lived in West Michigan for almost 20 years.

In 2016, Marion returned to her home state of Wisconsin with her daughter and son-in-law to Cameron. She suffered from a stroke in 2017 that left her wheelchair bound and moved to Heritage Lakeside in Rice Lake for care. She made friends and had great care from staff, especially the activities coordinator, Cathy Hagen.

Marion loved the Lord, Jesus Christ. She faithfully believed the bible and loved God’s angels and enjoyed using the verse “Let there be Light!” (Genesis 1:3) for the everyday events life gives us. In her last years of life on earth, she really enjoyed the song, “One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus”

Marion is survived by her children and their families; Billy and (Julie) Gabriel; grandchild Jamie Gabriel, Barbara Jerrolds; grandchild Jason Jerrolds, Peggy and (James) Walton; grandchildren Trisha Ann Atcher, Crystal Marion Zoeller, and Austin Walton. Also, survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Marion was preceded in death by siblings; Mary, Bob, Eve, Hellen, Chuck, and George, her husband Willian Gabriel, and son-in-law Robert Jerrolds.

The family will hold a celebration of life ceremony in the spring of 2024. Marion will be buried next to her father and husband. Burial will be at Mill Center Cemetery, 4610 Glendale Avenue in Pittsfield, Wisconsin, 54162.

All memorial gifts can be sent to: St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Dec 08, 2023 8:29 am CST