Marian Abel

Marian Eleanor (Ernst) Abel, age 96, of Genoa City, Wisconsin, formerly of Webb Lake, WI, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, June 30, 2016, at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, MN. Shrouded in love from near and far, Marian left this world to join her beloved husband, Alvin, her parents, and many other relatives and friends. Marian was born November 28, 1919, in Woodstock, Illinois. She was the only child of Edward and Marie (Hansen) Philipp. She lived in Woodstock throughout her childhood, and after graduating from Woodstock High School in 1937, Marian attended the Sherman Hospital Training School for Nurses in Elgin, Illinois, where she earned her Registered Nurse (R.N.) degree in 1940. She greatly enjoyed her nursing career and worked at various hospitals in and around the Chicago area. She especially loved sharing stories of her days working at Cook County Hospital. On December 6, 1941, Marian married Francis Ernst and raised three children while still enjoying the career she loved. In 1966, the family moved from Illinois to Webb Lake, Wisconsin, to the home they built on Big Bear Lake. Marian loved spending her free time fishing, swimming, picking berries, and hunting in the area. After working for a short time at the Spooner Hospital, Marian found her niche at the Spooner Nursing Home. She would later become the Director of Nursing and remained in that position until her retirement in 1983. Her first husband, Francis Ernst, passed away on June 8, 1982. Two years later, Marian met her true soul mate, Alvin Abel, and they were married in Lake Mills, WI, on September 29, 1984. Together they traveled to many states and enjoyed their new life together, especially the time they spent every winter in Flagler Beach, Florida. They were blessed to have 28 wonderful years together before Alvin’s passing on September 5, 2012. From then on, Marian has resided with her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Nancy Ernst, and traveled to Minnesota at least twice a year, spending a month of two with her daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Denny Peterson. Marian was preceded in death by her mother and father, Marie and Edward Philipp; her husbands, Francis Ernst and Alvin Abel; and many other relatives. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert (Nancy) Ernst of Genoa City, WI; son and daughter-in-law, Richard (Geraldine) Ernst of Menomonie, WI; daughter and son-in-law, Pat (Denny) Peterson of White Bear Lake, MN; seven grandchildren and their spouses: Rick (Lisa) Ernst, Jason (Susan) Ernst, Teri (Gary) Eskuri, Melissa (Rino) Nazal, Scott (Brad Burke) Shallenbarger, Brett Shallenbarger, Chet Shallenbarger (Tessa); and thirteen great grandchildren: Shannon & Thomas Ernst; Brandon & Jerad Ernst; Kaitlin & Jacob Eskuri; Cameron, Amelia & Lauren Nazal; Blake & Trey Shallenbarger, and Riley & Parker Burke-Shallenbarger. A gathering of family and friends of Marian (Ernst) Abel will be held at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster, WI, on Thursday, July 7, 2016, from 1:00pm until 2:30pm. A brief service will be conducted at 2:30pm followed by interment in Webb Lake Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted with Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Marian’s honor to the Lake Mills Moravian Church Childrens’ Travel & Outings Groups, 301 College St., Lake Mills, WI, 53551.