Marian Elizabeth (Vergin) Rose, 92, a lifelong resident of Ridgeland, passed away on Monday morning, August 12, 2024 at Our Family Assisted Living in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Marian was born on Saturday, July 2, 1932 in the Town of Dallas to Lester and Hilda (Neuman) Vergin. Her parents celebrated her birth in the same home where Lester had been born almost 28 years earlier. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Dallas.

Marian attended the Francis Scott Key school just north of the farm through the 8th grade. She was raised as a farm girl but she didn’t milk cows. She cared for the horses, smaller animals and chickens, the garden, and took pride, like her mother, in their home. When she was 8 years old, the family lost the original farmhouse to a devastating Easter Sunday fire. She often recalled the day and said she could still close her eyes and see the flames and smell smoke. Marian created beautiful scrapbooks, from clippings from the Superior Evening Telegram and Eau Claire Leader during World War 2, and they will be donated to the Richard I. Bong Museum in Superior. With her grandmother and mother being seamstresses, she also learned to sew at an early age and created beautiful garments, wedding dresses, and eventually for Barbie dolls. Her artistic ability went beyond sewing, as she was a knitter, crocheted, and created floral centerpieces. She was an accomplished pianist and organist and accompanied St. Paul’s Lutheran church congregation and was organist for many weddings. Lifelong hobbies included reading, especially cookbooks, cooking and baking. Although she could no longer safely use the stove and oven, she still enjoyed finding and sharing new recipes.

Marian attended Barron High School, graduating with honors in 1950. One of the honors attracted the First National Bank of Barron to recruit her and immediately following graduation she began a secretarial career that spanned 46 years. She also made Spooner her home for two years employed as an administrative assistant for the U.S. Soil and Water Conservation agency. Following her marriage, she returned to Ridgeland and was employed as a secretary at Sanna Dairies, Inc. Marian returned to the First National Bank in 1961, preceding her 1976 employment with the Menomonie Public School District, retiring after 20 years as administrative secretary in the district office. Marian also served the Village of Ridgeland as their village clerk for many years. She volunteered for the Ridgeland Fair Committee and organized the 50th Anniversary parade in 1973. For over 50 years she also sent out class reunion invitations, newsletters, and updated the class roster for the Barron High School Class of 1950.

On September 18, 1954, Marian was married to Richard Rose Jr. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Prairie Farm, Wisconsin. They lived in Ridgeland and raised four children, Pam, Brian, David and Patty. The couple later divorced.

On November 12, 1989, she married Alvin Pichelman Sr. and after their retirements in 1996, she learned to appreciate the Green Bay Packers, fishing for bass, casinos, and bus trips, the most memorable to the Ozarks.

Marian is survived by two daughters, Pamela (Russell) Bruder and Patty (Jeff) Amundson, both of Prairie Farm, and two sons, Brian (Rachel) Rose of Bloomer, and David (Kathy) Rose of Drummond; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter; sister-in-laws, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Ronald Vergin, her spouses and many dear friends.

By her own request, there will be no funeral service. Interment will be at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery at Spooner, Wisconsin where Marian will rest next to her second husband, Seaman Alvin E. Pichelman.

Marian always held a wish that she would dance again and there, indeed, is a time for everything…

“….a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”  Ecclesiastes 3:4

Scheuermann Funeral Home in Clear Lake is handling the arrangements.

Last Update: Aug 14, 2024 9:29 am CDT