Marvell Serier, 89

Marvell Adell Serier, age 89, of Baldwin, Wis., passed away on Dec. 23, at the Baldwin Area Medical Center.

Marvell was born on Sept. 2, 1923, in Emerald, Wis., to Price and Maret (Grönne) Johnson. She attended grade school in Emerald and was a graduate of Glenwood City High School. She also received certification as a nursing assistant. Marvell was united in marriage to Emil Swanepoel at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on June 9, 1942. To this union, ten children were born. Emil died in December 1970. Later, her family further grew when she married Harvey Serier on April 12, 1975, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Glenwood City.

She liked to watch things grow in her garden and flower beds. Marvell also enjoyed old time music and dancing; she and Harvey rarely missed the Ellsworth Polka Fest. She liked bowling with friends, sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She was a good cook and was known for her fresh donuts, baked bread, and canned foods. She participated in church choirs at St. John's and Immaculate Conception, was a 4-H leader, and a member of Pleasant Grove Homemakers. With her sunny personality, Marvell took great pleasure in starting the day on a positive note, singing and playing the organ in the early morning hours to awaken her children.

Marvell is survived by her husband, Harvey Serier of Baldwin, Wis.; children Charles (Kris) Swanepoel of Colorado Springs, Colo., David (Lorelei) Swanepoel of Clear Lake, Wis., Linda Swanepoel of Baldwin, Wis., Roger (MaryAnn) Swanepoel of Glenwood City, Wis., Robert (Diane) Swanepoel of Glenwood City, Wis. Mary Gail Earl of Lakeland, Fla., Nancy (Curt) Nichols of Baldwin, Ted (Elissa) Swanepoel of Spring Valley, Wis., and Donna (Lance) Peterson of Woodville, Wis.; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Emil; a son, Michael John; siblings, Martha Hurtgen, Ralph Johnson, Pauline Hanson, Thelma Coogan, Wilma Larson, Connie Jansa, Wayne Johnson, Carlyle Johnson, Joyce Johnson, Mary Hope Schultz, and Melvin Johnson.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Friday evening, Dec. 28, at O'Connell Family Funeral Home, 1010 Newton St., Baldwin. Rosary will be said at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Dec. 29, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 757 1st Street, Glenwood City, Wis. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., with visitation 1 hour prior to service. Internment at Greenwood Cemetery in Emerald Township following the funeral.

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