Marcella Anna Julia Frokjer was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She was born in Balsam Lake Township on May 13, 1924, to Albert and Erna (Griep) Petzel. They moved to Eureka Township in 1929, where Marcella attended St. Croix Falls High School and graduated in 1943. Marcella was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and was a member of Fristad Lutheran Church throughout her life. On June 28, 1947, Marcella married Ivan Frokjer, and they enjoyed many years of family life together on their farm in St. Croix Falls with daughters, Trudy and Kim.
Marcella loved traveling with her siblings and had special memories of trips to Sanibel Island, Florida, and visiting her sister in Arizona. She enjoyed being active and learning new skills. Marcella participated in a wide variety of classes throughout her adult life, from cake decorating to needlework and ceramics. She enjoyed gardening, theater shows, arts and crafts and playing games with her grandchildren as they grew up. In recent years, Marcella enjoyed outings, games and other activities with friends at her assisted living facility in Amery. She enjoyed decorating her room for the change of seasons, holidays, and hosting family gatherings. There were times when visiting was limited due to COVID lockdowns and Marcella would tell her friends and family, “We have to be patient.” Marcella was an amazingly positive person who appreciated her family and faith. She inspired us with her sense of adventure, love of stories, humor, strength and tenacity, and her patience.
Marcella peacefully passed away with family around her on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. She was 98 years young, and we are comforted knowing she was welcomed into heaven by those who passed before her. She was joyously reunited with her husband, Ivan; parents; Ivan’s parents; sister, Evalyne; brothers, Maynard and Donald; and Ivan’s siblings.
Marcella will be dearly missed by her brother, Elroy (Arlys) Petzel; sisters-in-law, Marcia Frokjer and Marlene Petzel; daughters, Trudy (Bob) Johnson and Kim (Mike) Galbraith; grandchildren, Tracy (Dan) Strantz, Erin Williamson, Kristi (Jake) Hendel, Kari (Josh) Hansen and Kate (Danny) Perkins; great-grandchildren, Cory and Rachel Strantz, Ellie and Tallis Hendel, Bella, Madison and Henry Hansen, and Dylan and Charlotte Perkins; and numerous other family members and friends.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Amery Memory Care assisted living for their care and support of Marcella, to Amery Hospital and Grandstrand Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, at Joy Lutheran Church, Centuria, Wisconsin, Marcella’s 99th birthday, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. A private interment will be held. Arrangements are with the Grandstrand Funeral Home, Osceola, Wisconsin. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com.
