Marcella J. Geiss, 94, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.
Marcella was born July 28, 1920, in Merrill, daughter of the late Alfred and Mae (Severt) Kanneberg. She married Edwin Geiss on May 24, 1941, in Villa Park, Illinois. He preceded her in death on December 19, 1986. Marcella graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1937. She then attended Normal Commercial College and helped pay her tuition fee of $140.00. After college, Marcella worked for Marshfield’s Egg Plant, and Hansen Glove and Merrill Woolen Mills both in Merrill. In 1956, Marcella and her husband Edwin founded Geiss Meat Service in Merrill. In 1968, they established the Little Florida Mobile Home Park in the Town of Merrill. Marcella and Ed shared the same outlook on life. Their visions and dreams were always for a project to build that would benefit others as well as their own family—first the meat business, then the mobile court and finally the lake always giving the Lord credit for the blessings they were receiving. After her husband’s passing, Marcella created the Ed Geiss Memorial Center on the family land.
Marcella was the first female bus driver in Wisconsin. She later sold the bussing business to the Peterson family who eventually formed Peterson Bussing. In the late 1970’s, Marcella operated Haven for Hungry Hearts, a religious bookstore in Merrill. Marcella was an avid listener of the Gospel. She enjoyed bible studies and particularly focused on the Book of Revelation. Her passion for the gospel eventually lead her to make two trips to Israel. Marcella also enjoyed planning family reunions and camping with her grandchildren. She was a member of the Lincoln County Homemaker’s Club and enjoyed playing cards with a card club.
Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Katzenmaier (Tom Schumacher) of Greenfield, WI, Valerie Schlueter of Merrill, and Peggy Brown of Merrill; two sons, John (Sherry) Geiss and Jerry (Cindy) Geiss both of Merrill; eleven grandchildren, Kari Knipple, Jay (Beth) Schlueter, Jeremy Schlueter, Chad (Amy) Brown, Craig (Leah) Brown, Kimberly Brown (Lyle Conley), Andy (Michelle) Geiss, Ginger (Eric) Belgram, Lindsay (Landon) Malzahn, Bradley (Sue) Geiss, and Jennifer Geiss; fourteen great-grandchildren, Kayla, Kevin, Jacob, Marissa, Ashley, Cali, Brayton, Bryce, Josie, Madie, Aidan, Brady, Nicholas, and Elizabeth; one great-great-grandson, Landry; one sister, Dorothy Neuman of Colby; and one sister-in-law, Delores Kanneberg of Rockford, IL. Marcella was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Geiss; her parents, Alfred and Mae Kanneberg; one son, Victor Geiss; one great-granddaughter, Lily RaeAnn Belgram; one daughter-in-law, Mary Geiss; three sons-in-law, Ken Katzenmaier, Gary Schlueter, and Jeff Brown; two brothers, Kenneth (Delores) Kanneberg and Edwin Kanneberg; and one brother-in-law, Duane Neuman.
The funeral service for Marcella will be held at 5:00 P.M., Monday, February 16, 2015 at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Entombment will take place in Restlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Wausau. Visitation will begin at 2:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home for the wonderful care given to Marcella the past seven years. They would also like to thank the staff at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center for their compassionate care.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com