Wealthy Ann Owens was born Dec. 4, 1943, to Harold and Agnes (Smith) Owens at the Frederic Hospital. She was baptized and confirmed at Lorain Methodist Church. She passed away Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at the age of 80.
Wealthy grew up on the family farm at Indian Creek. She attended Indian Creek School, the only girl in a class of four. She attended Frederic High School, graduating in 1962. She attended UW-Stout and UW-River Falls. Wealthy was active in 4-H, both as a member showing cattle, sewing and other activities, and as a 4-H leader as an adult.
Wealthy married her grade school boyfriend, Ronald Marschall, on Sept. 19, 1964, at Lorain Methodist Church. This union was blessed with two sons, John and Daryl. They lived for a short time in Maplewood, Minnesota. From there they moved back to Indian Creek and worked on the family farm until 1969 when they purchased their farm in Amery from Ronnie's uncle, Roland Marschall, and started out as a family of four. Together they established their dairy farm, milking Jersey cows, raising crops and their family. They enjoyed hunting, gardening, crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, attending the boys’ events and hosting family gatherings.
In 1988, their first grandchild, Sara Wealthy, arrived, followed by Brady John and Brian Rocky. They were the center of life from there forward. Ronnie and Wealthy enjoyed the simplicity of their lives, doing what meant the most to them, loving their children and grandchildren. Life changed dramatically when Ronnie died suddenly on Nov. 9, 1998. Wealthy continued farming and milking cows for another 18 years. She enjoyed traveling to New Zealand, Florida, Oregon and Door County. Family was her pride and joy! Great-grandchildren provided special bragging rights and added joys.
Wealthy was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie; her parents, Harold and Agnes; in-laws, Herb and Peg Marschall; infant sister, Doris; brothers-in-law, Dennis Marschall and Bill McAbee; and sister-in-law, Elaine Owens.
She is survived by sons, John (Mary) and Daryl (Cokie); grandchildren, Sara (Kyle) Mathison, Brady (Ashley) Marschall and Brian (Taylor) Marschall; great-grandchildren, Grant and IdaRose Mathison, Dustin and Dreya Marschall, and Ezra and Monty Marschall; stepgrandsons, Wyatt (Lexy) McCready and River; honorary family, Jamie Berry and Matt Swanson; siblings, Harlin, Margaret McAbee, Wilfred (Linda), Marion (Bill) Barlass, Opal (Bill) Haase, Walter (Joyce) and Roger (Kim); sisters-in-law, Robin Edwards (Dan) and Marilyn Marschall; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
There will be a visitation on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 2-5 p.m., at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery. The funeral service will be held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Frederic on Monday, Feb. 5, at 11 a.m., with a visitation beginning one hour prior at 10 a.m. The service will be followed by a luncheon. Wealthy will be buried at the Lorain Cemetery next to her husband.
To sign an online guest book and view a video tribute, please visit williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Amery, Wisconsin.
