Marietta Johanneck, 86

ÝÝÝRed Lake Falls - Marietta Johanneck, 86, died on Thursday, September 2, 2004 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, September 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, with Father Tim Bushy presiding. Interment will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake Falls.

ÝÝÝMarietta Bridget Johanneck, the sixth of eight children, was born in her familyís home to Benjamin Franklin Willett and Barbara Mary (Wagner) Willett on October 6, 1917 in Fairfax. Mariettaís family moved from Fairfax to Plummer in 1920 where she grew up and attended school. After graduating from Pershing High School, Plummer, in 1936, Marietta worked at various jobs including: the Plummer Post Office, as secretary at Lafayette High School, as a cook at the University of Minnesota in Crookston and as a waitress at the Lincoln Hotel Restaurant in Red Lake Falls.

ÝÝÝMarietta married Clem Johanneck on June 10, 1947 at St. Maryís Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. In 1947, Clem and Marietta built their own house where they raised their nine children. That house was home for Clem until he died in 1982 and for Marietta until October 2001 when she moved to Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls where she resided until her death.

ÝÝÝMariettaís greatest joy was to be with family. She enjoyed cooking and baking for them and the many guests at her home. She also enjoyed bringing food that she had baked or cooked to grieving families. Marietta was moved by the beauty of nature. That was evident in her love for raising food in her garden, many houseplants and flowers she grew in her yard. She enjoyed watching the birds at her feeder and birdbath. Marietta enjoyed traveling, especially trips that included a visit to the Rocky Mountains. Camping and fishing with Clem and her family was also a favorite. She enjoyed creating scrapbooks, photo albums, sewing quilts and a game of cards with family and friends. Marietta enjoyed visiting with elderly at Hillcrest and at one time held a job there to help feed those residents who could not feed themselves. Praying with her faith community of St. Josephís Church, daily devotions and the Rosary, were an important part of her life. She was a member of St. Josephís Catholic Church, the ladies guild, The Catholic Daughters of America and St. Anneís Society. Marietta cared for 24 foster children in her home from the Catholic Social Service in Red Lake Falls.

ÝÝÝMarietta is survived by her children: Charles (Gloria Arel) of Oak Creek, Wis., Marie (Ben) Metselaar of Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba, Canada, Patricia (Ambrose) Giesen of Cold Spring, Michael (Brenda Potter) of Oak Creek, Wis., Sharon Merkel of South Milwaukee, Wis., Janice Johanneck of South Milwaukee, Wis, Roger (Michelle Getzin) of Red Lake Falls, Theresa Palmer of Cold Spring; 26 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one brother, Joseph Willett of Oklee; three sisters: Connie Driscoll and Dolores Carlson of Red Lake Falls, and Rita LeMere of Augusta, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.

ÝÝÝMarietta was preceded in death by her husband, Clem Johanneck; her daughter, Barbara Johanneck; an infant granddaughter; her parents; her sisters, Monica Fallon and Marcella Toulouse and one brother, Andrew Willett.ÝÝÝA00003B2004SP01