Grace M. Haskins

Grace Marlene "Marly" (Deutsch) Haskins, age 83, of Lancaster, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 216, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. Born in New York City, Marly moved with her family at an early age to St Paul MN, where her father was employed as an interior decorator, and her mother taught high school English. After grade school, Marly attended St Paul Academy, earning her diploma in 1950. She completed her BA degree in English at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs NY, later earning an MA in school administration from UW-Madison. She returned to Minnesota after Skidmore and became a school teacher in Pine City. In 1955, through a mutual acquaintance, she met Darrel Haskins, an Air Force officer stationed at Chamberlain Field in St Paul and the man who would become the love of her life and future husband. After she and Darrel married October 26, 1957, they moved to Darrel's hometown Lancaster, WI, where Darrel worked in the family petroleum business. Small town life was a bit of an adjustment for a big city girl, but Marly adapted well and they started a family with a son in 1959 and a daughter in 1962. Marly served the community in a wide range of roles, including substitute teacher locally and full-time teacher in Potosi, WI; longtime volunteer at Lancaster Memorial Hospital; board member of the local hospital auxiliary and eventually president of the Wisconsin association of hospital auxiliaries; volunteer coordinator for Orchard Manor; member of the Lancaster City Council, Cub Scout den mother, Brownie leader, charter member of Lancaster Community Players, and most recently served on the planning and fundraising committee for the Schreiner Memorial Library expansion. She especially enjoyed her homemakers group, book club, and bridge club, and she loved to travel, occasionally with her mother but most often with husband and soulmate Darrel.

Marly was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy (Dunn) and Clarence Deutsch, her grandparents Evaline and William W (Billy) Dunn, and her favorite aunt Jane Graw.

She is survived by her four grandchildren, whom she loved dearly: Amelia Rolf, Nolan Rolf, Alex Haskins, Carl (Laura) Geczy-Haskins; her children Sheila (Troy) Rolf and Bill (Lisa Swanson) Haskins, and her loving husband of almost 59 years, Darrel.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 6, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lancaster Congregational Church with Reverend Mark Dieter officiating. Burial was at a later date. There was no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Grant Regional Auxiliary or the Lancaster Congregational Church. Schwartz Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Lancaster is assisting the family.