Marie Rasmussen was always happiest when surrounded by her immediate family and step family. These gatherings often became events that included other relatives, neighbors, and friends. The often spontaneous occasions usually included music and always some good food.

Marie could start a sing-along at the drop of a hat and often had song sheets to pass out to everyone gathered. She especially enjoyed it when participants brought along an instrument or two. ( There were two rules to making music with Marie – rule number 1 was that everyone was expected to sing and rule number 2 was there was no such thing as "I can't" when referring to rule number 1.)

When asked by a daughter-in-law how she planned her delicious meals, it has been rumored that Marie's answer simply put was, "around my desserts, of course!" She was a wonderful baker and cook and made sure that every meal was started with a table grace. There was always room for one more person at the table and she was always certain that there would be enough food to go around. Marie seldom baked her favorites without making extras to share with the neighbors.
One of her granddaughters, when tasting her schaum torte for the first time, decided that she and Grandma should set up a booth at the Wisconsin State Fair so that everyone would have a chance to taste her specialty.

Marie never met a baby that didn't require holding, goos, and lots of loving. She also loved her flowers and took great pride in planting beds in the spring of the year. She always had a small arrangement on the table, made up of whatever flowers and greens that she could pick from the yard on that day. Another love of hers was quilting. Every grandchild was given a denim quilt at one time or another.

Born on February 7, 1915, Marie Gorell was one of 9 children born to Ida and Richard Gorell in Eau Claire, WI. She graduated from Altoona, WI high school. She was the lone survivor of her siblings: Lucille Kelley, Agnes Dickson, Elsie Hoeppner, Fred, Frank, Edward, and John and an infant sister, Martha.

On June 18, 1937, Marie Gorell married A. L. (Lloyd) Hartzell in Eau Claire, WI. To this union, three children were born – Thomas (Lori), Kay (Lisle Ramsey), and John (Ruth). Lloyd preceded her in death in 1960. She was also preceded in death by her son Thomas in 2008.

On April 11, 1970, Marie Hartzell became the bride of John E. Rasmussen of Chippewa Falls, WI. Her family expanded to welcome two step children – Beret (Ronald) and John Alan (Maripat). John Rasmussen preceded Marie in death in August, 2005.

They were blessed with 7 grandchildren: Eric Hartzell, Sarah Hartzell Lanphere, Jen Hartzell, Feiter, Ken Greenwood, Aaron Hartzell, Jason Rasmussen, and Andrea Greenwood Hayes. They were further blessed with 8 great grandchildren: David Lanphere, Garrett Hartzell, Jeff Greenwood, Samantha Greenwood, Jordan Greenwood, Cecelia Greenwood, Jake Feiter, and Shay Marie Feiter. Marie is also survived by one great-great grandson – Dainin Hartzell, as well as nieces, nephews, and many friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Siloa Lutheran Church in Ontonagon. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be alongside Lloyd Hartzell, in Spooner Cemetery, Spooner, WI. The Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Memorial gifts may be made to: The quilting group at Bateman English Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, WI or to Siloa Lutheran Church in Ontonagon, MI.