Marion Mae Treichel

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish.” John 11:25-26a

Marion Mae Treichel age 88 of Coloma, passed away peacefully at her home filled with love and care of family. She was born in Hutchinson, MN on May 24, 1936 to a Christian farm couple, William and Elsie Runke. After graduating from Hutchinson High School, she attended Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, for one year and one summer school session. Because of the severe shortage of elementary school teachers in 1954, Marion was called to teach first grade in St. John’s Lutheran School in Baraboo, WI. for the 1954-1955 school year.

On July 10, 1955, she married Allen R. Treichel at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills, MN, a marriage which lasted 69.5 years and was blessed with four sons and four daughters. 

She is survived by her loving husband Allen Treichel; 8 children: Keith (Leigh Ann) Treichel of Waukesha, WI; Beth Knuth of Port Washington; LouAnn Treichel of Coloma, WI; David (Cookie)Treichel of Stevens Point, WI; Brian (Dawn) Treichel of Brookfield, WI; Becky (Scott) Throgmorton of Waukesha, WI; James (Jodi) Treichel of Weyauwega, WI; and Debra (Dan) Pollesch of Germantown, WI; 21 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren; sister Elva Besel of MN; sister-in-law Loraine Stindt of Ann Arbor, MI; and sister-in-law Eleanor Runke of Watertown, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death: her parents, William and Elsie Runke; her siblings: Elmer Runke, Erna Silvan, Harold Runke and Eveline Crabtree. Two infant grandsons: Jeremiah and Joshua Treichel, and one infant great granddaughter: Sophia Treichel. 

In 1991, Marion retired from her maintenance job at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Wauwatosa with her husband from his 38 year teaching career. They moved to a home he had built on Coloma’s Pleasant Lake, and joined Peace Lutheran Church. Marion busied herself with reading, sewing, traveling with their camper, quilting, flower gardening and playing card games and Yahtzee. She also was a great baker of homemade bread, elephant ears, dough dogs and funny cake to keep her husband, children, and grandchildren happy. These were some of her happiest years.

Marion was a very loving person who gave hugs to others who were hurting. She often said that her large loving and caring family was God’s greatest gift to her, second only to her precious Savior whom she served every day by reading her Bible and living her faith.

Her love of others moved her to do charity work using the gifts God had blessed her with. She quilted dozens of blankets and donated them to charitable organizations who distributed them to needy children in our country and abroad. She also worked with her husband for BFC (Builders for Christ), a charitable arm of her WELS Lutheran church for eight years at 12 different locations in our country. She will be truly missed by all who knew her.

Special thanks to: Kristie Karl, RN of Moments Hospice, Pastor Nathan Laska and William Runke for officiating, and Leikness Funeral Home staff.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Peace Lutheran Church, 335 W. Prairie St. Wautoma, WI from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Nathan R. Laska and Rev. William Runke will officiate and burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Coloma. In lieu of flowers memorials to Peace Lutheran Church for kitchen remodel.