Marcella E. Graney

LANCASTER - Marcella E. Graney, age 91, of Lancaster passed away Friday, August 25, 2017.

Marcella Eileen (Schwantes) Graney was born February 9, 1926 in Lancaster, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Kurt and Lillian (Walker) Schwantes. Marcella married Robert (Bob) Graney on December 14, 1944 and they enjoyed 72 years together until Robert’s death in February of 2017. Marcella and Bob operated the family farm on the Platte River, Ellenboro Township where they raised beef cattle and hogs until their retirement in 1999.

Marcella was a hard working partner in the operation of the farm. She raised six children while helping to care for the livestock, working in the fields, raising huge gardens, canning and freezing the abundant produce, and tending to the daily needs of her family. Marcella loved to take long walks through the pastures and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren shared on many of these adventures. In her spare time Marcella also enjoyed weaving rag rugs and piecing quilts to keep her family warm.

Her family and the farm occupied most of Marcella’s time, but she still found time to be an active volunteer in the community. She was proud to be the cooking leader for the Busy Badger 4-H club and worked for over 40 years as a superintendent in the foods department at the Grant County Fair. Marcella also volunteered countless hours at the Grant County Thrift Store. She was a founding member of the a group of neighborhood women who served meals for auctions, funerals, etc. Marcella and Bob were also long members of the West Grant Saddle Club.

Marcella Eileen (Schwantes) Graney is survived by her children: Dan (Shari) Graney of Tucson, AZ; Roger (Janet) Graney of Lancaster; Phylis Graney of Sundance, WY; Randy Graney of Lancaster; Marcia Graney of Sundance, WY; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson; her sister-in-law, Mary Jean (Ted) Goeres of Lodi, WI; a daughter-in-law, Mary Graney of Lancaster.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob), her parents Kurt and Lillian Schwantes and her son, Ted Graney.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory, 1234 S. Madison St., Lancaster with Pastor Mark Hoehne officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Tuesday, August 29 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home, and from 9:30 a.m. until time of services on Wednesday.