Marian L Rhiel
Marian L. Crownhart Rhiel, age 87, of Durand went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 30, 2008. Marian was born May 22, 1921 in Elmwood, WI to parents Arthur and Mary (Riley) Crownhart. She graduated from Elmwood High School in 1939. During WWII she worked at A.O. Smith Manufacturing in Milwaukee inspecting B29 bomber landing gears. She had a love for music and dancing that never diminished. Spanish Eyes was her favorite song to dance to.
She married Ralph Rhiel May 22, 1948, in Elmwood, WI. They farmed and raised their family in Plum City, WI until May of 1962 when Ralph died. Marian and her family moved to Durand in the summer of 1963 and she lived there for 45 years. During that time she continued to raise her family and later worked at Caddie Woodlawn School until her retirement in 1996. During her retirement years, she volunteered at the Pepin County Senior Center.
The love for her family was unconditional. Her gentle spirit never wavered even when faced with hardship and sorrow.
She is survived by her three daughters, Bernadette Rhiel of Madison, Maureen Rhiel (Dave Yonkovich) of Wisconsin Rapids, Colleen (Mike) Tappe of Shakopee, MN and two sons, Mike (Linda) Rhiel of Plum City and Joe (Laurie) Rhiel of Brookfield; thirteen grandchildren Jason, Sarah (Justin), Jennifer, Emilee (Geoffrey), Teresa, Rachel, Daniel, Kevin, Brian, Jared, Alex, Angela, Zach and great granddaughter Allyson; one brother, Frank (Adeline) Crownhart of Elmwood and many loved nieces, nephews and friends. Very special friends Keith Rye, Mark and Heather Gussman and their children Zack and Ethan Rhiel Gussman. Marian was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, who died May 20, 1962; her son Fran, who died on April 3, 1999, her parents; two brothers, Phillip Crownhart and Bob Crownhart; three sisters, Agnes Rhiel, Dorothy Disse and Catherine Plon.