Marcella Marie (Weitzel) Smith

Marcella Marie (Weitzel) Smith, 93, passed away quietly on February 1, 2024, in her residence at Just Like Home in Chetek, Wisconsin.

Marcella was born in Lake View, Iowa on February 27, 1930 to August P. and Ella (Hess) Weitzel.

Marcella grew up in Sac City, Iowa, and worked for Nobles Manufacturing after high school.  On May 16, 1948, she married Glenn Smith, a marriage lasting until his passing 66 years later.  Together they lived in Sac City for 19 years before moving to Alta, Iowa in 1967, then to Chetek, Wisconsin in 1969 to own and operate a registered Holstein dairy farm for the next 43 years.

Marcella was an avid gardener and loved raising flowers.  She was particularly fond of roses, petunias, African violets, geraniums, and her Christmas cactus which survived for over 60 years.  Feeding calves and helping with barn chores were daily occurrences. She enjoyed baking, cooking, knitting, crossword puzzles, and spent countless hours doing jigsaw puzzles. Homemade green sweet pickles, sourdough pancakes, fresh coffee, and desserts were normal kitchen favorites.  There was always a pie, cake, or cookies on the counter for anyone that might come to visit.

Marcella is preceded in death by her husband Glenn and sons Gary and John.

She is survived by sons Steven (Debbie), Prescott, WI, Bruce (Pamela), Casa Grande, AZ, daughter Marilyn McDonald (Steven), Star, ID, 6 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Marcella’s family would like to give a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Just Like Home where Marcella was loved by all who cared for her.  A heartfelt thank you also to the staff of Mayo Clinic Hospice for the comfort care and support they provided.

A private service will be held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery with a Celebration of Life following thereafter.

Rest in peace, Mom.  We love you.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.