Marian Martell

PARK FALLS, Wis. - Marian Martell, age 97, formerly of Ironwood, Mich., passed away on Dec. 24, 2024, in Park Falls, surrounded by family. Marian was born on Jan. 3, 1927, in Berlin, Wisconsin, and was the daughter of Charles Edward "Dick" and Myrtle Richards.

Marian spent her elementary years in Bessemer, Mich. After her father became superintendent of schools in Watersmeet, the family moved there. Marian graduated from Watersmeet High School. She attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for one year and graduated from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., in 1949.

While in college, Marian met her future husband, Fred Martell. They married in 1953 and started their teaching careers in Lake Linden, Mich., before taking teaching jobs in Ironwood, Mich. Marian taught several elementary grade levels during her career before retiring as the second grade teacher at Sleight Elementary School in Ironwood.

Education was always very important to her, and Marian was very proud that all of her children and grandchildren graduated with bachelor's degrees from college. Marian's hobbies included traveling and seeing all 50 states and several countries, playing bridge, enjoying lunch with her friends, being active at the Wesley United Methodist Church, watching the Green Bay Packers and Michigan Wolverines football games, and spending time with her family.

Marian is survived by her son, Jim (Louise) Martell of Minong, Wisconsin; her daughter, Ginny (Mark) Luoma of Park Falls; son-in-law, Mike Sokolowski of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Joe (Hannah) Martell, Jeff (Gretta) Martell, David (Leah) Marlow, Nathan Sokolowski, Sara (Josh) Bernardin, Amy (Rocky) Vandermoon, and John (Tashanna) Luoma; and great grandchildren, Karsten, Sam, Rosie, Carolina, Winnie, Camille, Kayden, Charlie, Matt, Grace and Kaylee. She is also survived by her sister, Carol Neumann; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Marian was preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, Fred; her daughter, Carol Sokolowski; her brother, Wally Richards; and her grandson, Matthew Luoma.

Her honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Joe, Jeff, Dave, Nathan, Sara, Amy and John. Marian's funeral will be on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the funeral at 11 a.m. at the church. A lunch at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marian's name can be made to The Red Devil Education Foundation Inc. or to the Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood.

The family has chosen the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood. To leave an online condolence or for more information, visit McKevittPatrickFuneralHome.com.