Marie Taber

Theresa Marie Taber, age 94, of Platteville, passed away peacefully at her home at Sienna Crest Assisted Living Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Marie was born April 24, 1922, in Marseilles, IL. She attended one year of Northern Illinois State Teachers college at DeKalb before moving to Savanah, GA with her parents when her father was transferred. It was there she met the love of her life, Sergeant Russell Taber, in front of a punch bowl at a USO dance. While Russ was deployed for 2 years in the Pacific, Marie was employed as a secretary at the Savannah Army Service Depot and played piano for dance studios. They were married December 6, 1945, and were together for 65 years until Russ passed away in 2011. She had many jobs in her life, but her favorite was being a mom to their 6 children and caring for her home.

After a brief stay in Chicago, Russ & Marie joined her sister and brother-in-law, Rosella and Ed Schroeder, as partners in the Schroeder Taber General Store in Cuba City. In 1955 they moved to Fennimore and operated their own Gamble's Hardware Store. They moved to Platteville in 1961. Marie was always active in whatever community she was in, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother, typist for the Red Cross Blood Mobil, volunteer for the Platteville Thrift Shop, Platteville Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, United Way, and a very active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She did not "retire" from volunteer work until she was in her 80's.

Marie also had her own typing business and was the typist for "Show Time" digest as well as a Doctorial and Master's thesis typist for many UW-P professors and students.

She was known for her wonderful hospitality and always had freshly baked cookies for her children's friends and delicious desserts and coffee for the many adults who stopped in. Marie was also a caring neighbor and blessed them with many meals, treats or help whenever it was needed. In the words of a granddaughter: "I have learned more from her about true love, strong faith, and delicious baking, then I have from anyone else."

Marie is survived by six children; Tom (Bev) of Platteville, Jim (Pam) of Kaneohe, HI, Sharon (Tim) Charles of Platteville, Mark (Sally) of Poynette, Steve (Debbie) of Madison; Patti (Doug) Ripperger of Eldridge IA;15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; nieces and a nephew who meant so much to her.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville with Father Faustino Ruiz officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Family and friends called on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory of Platteville is entrusted with services.  

Special thanks to mom's Sienna Crest family for their loving care and the compassionate Grant County Hospice team. You all were her support (and ours) during a challenging time in her life.