SZYMANSKI, Marcella "Marcie" M., age 83

Died: Wednesday, April 15th, 2015

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2015 with the Father Felix Tigoy officiating

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass at the church

Interment: St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Marcella Marie Szymanski, age 83, of Eau Claire passed away peacefully on April 15, 2015 and is finally at rest. In her life, however, Marcie was rarely at rest. Rather, she lived a life full of hard work, community involvement, and service to others.

She was born to the late Mike and Verna (Stroinski) Teclaw on August 11, 1931. Their country home in Thorp was a hub of community activity. Parts of their house were at different times converted into a cheese factory, a grocery store, and, eventually, Tec's Cozy Inn tavern. Even without the steady community interactions, there was constant bustle with 11 kids in the family. Marcie was a born caretaker, watching over three little brothers, including twins.

Marcie attended a two-room schoolhouse through eighth grade before moving on to Thorp High School, where she graduated in 1949. As an active member of St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, she belonged to the Catholic Youth Organization and sang alto in the choir, alongside her sister and three brothers. Through church and school, she met her future husband, Leonard Szymanski. They were engaged before Leonard left for the Korean War in 1951, and they were happily reunited and married shortly after he returned in 1953.

In 1955, Leonard and Marcie bought a dairy farm near Thorp, which they operated for 17 years. Marcie was active in all stages of farming, all while raising and caring for four sons born during that time (Daniel, Thomas, Donald, Ronald) and a fifth (Kenneth) when they moved to Eau Claire in 1970.

In Eau Claire, Marcie was active member of St. Olaf Catholic Church. As an officer in PCCW and a Triniteam volunteer, she planned and worked funeral dinners, sent Christmas cards to elderly members of the parish, baked for fundraisers, and made home visits and deliveries for the homebound. She also worked part-time as a records clerk at Luther Hospital and a registration clerk at CVTC.

Marcie enjoyed crafting, gardening, playing the organ, bowling, sewing, baking treats for her children and grandchildren, attending family sporting events, and dancing polkas and waltzes with Leonard on frequent trips back to Thorp for parties and celebrations.

She admirably cared for her husband for years before his death in 2007. Even when she moved to Milestone Memory Care, where she spent the final four years of her life, she acted more like a worker than a resident. She often helped staff with daily chores, but mostly she cared for other residents in need. It was how she lived her entire life: dedicated to service, guided by faith, and filled with love.

Marcie is survived by her sons, Dan (Barb) of Eau Claire, Tom (Sheryl) of New Brighton, MN, Don (Brenda), Ron (Jessica), and Ken (Sarah) all of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Jason (Carrie) Szymanski, Dr. Jared Szymanski, D.O., Nicole (Mitch) Podhora, Eric and Rachel Szymanski, Kevin, Brian, and Michelle Szymanski, Christopher Sleeper, Caden, Ella, and Maya Szymanski, Keegan and Evan Szymanski; great-grandchildren, Adrian and Aaron Szymanski; siblings, Alois (Kathleen), Malen, Lillian Kaczmarek, Marion (Margaret), Raymond (Valeria), Nobert (Nancy), Richard (Marlys), and David (Carol); and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Marcie was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; sisters, Florence and Angeline Teclaw; brother, Leon Teclaw; sister-in-law, Donetta Teclaw; brother-in-law, Leon Kaczmarek.

The family extends its gratitude to her caretaker Abi Gatewood, hospice care workers, and the gracious staff at Milestone Memory Care.