Mary Elizabeth Litwiller Giesel, was born on July 23, 1925, to Alf and Edith (Brown) Litwiller, near Ithaca, Michigan.  She quietly passed away in the early morning hours of March 4, 2020, at their home near Barron, reaching the age of 94 years.

Mary was blessed to be one of 16 children, growing up on a farm in Gratiot County, Michigan.  Through the years she has stayed very close to her siblings; enjoying their visits, reminiscing and remembering the work, and the good times they shared.  These brothers and sisters had a unique bond.

The one room country school, Smith-Alan, was where she began her education.  Being a person who enjoyed life and its challenges, her learning continued all through her years; through her love of reading and her keen enjoyment of doing the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper.

Mary, at the age of 15, felt the Lord calling her to give her heart to Him.  She was baptized on February 16, 1941 by Min. Harry Wenger, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.  Through the years this commitment grew deeper into her heart and she experienced a sincere thankfulness for forgiveness, and faith in the redeeming blood of Jesus.  This This faith went with her to the brink of the river which she knew she was going to be crossing, and with a carefulness, she searched her life, and left a clear testimony of a quiet peace within her heart and soul.

On November 2, 1949, she was joined in marriage to Leland (Lee) Geisel from Greensburg, Kansas, by Min. Glenn Litwiller.  God blessed them with a little over 70 years together.  Their first year of married life was spent on a farm near Cimarron, Kansas, then moving to Michigan, where they lived for the next 15 years.  In 1966 Lee and Mary and their little family moved to Barron, Wisconsin, where they had purchased a dairy farm.  They together worked hard to provide a living for their growing family.  Mom’s garden always included a variety of berries, which she loved to pick and put up, and share with others.  She also spent many hours sewing for her children.  She was an avid lover of nature and the great outdoors.  The flowers she planted around the house and yard; the variety of birds that visited the feeder near the window; the beauty of God’s creation was a satisfying joy to her.

She carried a true mother-concern for the salvation of her children and grandchildren, asking the question, “Who, when I am gone, will pray for my children?”  She was assured that her prayers will not die with her, but are kept in “vials before the Lamb” of God.

Those left to cherish precious memories of their loved one are her faithful husband, Lee, their children; Jeff and Deanna, El Campo, TX; Dane and Sheri, Barron; Eric, Barron; and Jenny Giesel, Two Rivers; Marlon and Connie, Guntersville, AL; Ken and Ronda; Marisa and Patrick Wedel, Barron; Kristin and Steve Mininger, Kidron, OH; Tony and Wendy Giesel, Barron; Derek and Angie Giesel, New Auburn; 22 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren; one brother, Verle and Marion Litwiller; one sister, Donna Wiebe; one sister-in-law, Wanda Litwiller; brothers-in-law, Bill Giesel, Robert Martens; sister-in-law, Arlene and Willis Koehn; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law; 8 brothers and 5 sisters, and their spouses; one brother-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and one daughter-in-law, Marci. 

Funeral services for Mary Giesel will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Barron Mennonite Church in Barron.  Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning.  Burial will be at the Barron Mennonite Cemetery in Barron. 

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

Last Update: Mar 07, 2020 8:48 am CST