Marcia Lee (Doeksen) Wellnitz

Marcia Lee Wellnitz, age 87, of Barnes, WI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN.  She was born on February 16, 1936 in Sioux City, IA, the daughter of Ray W. and Frances E. (Sawyer) Doeksen.  Marcia was united in marriage to Harlan William Wellnitz on June 27, 1959, in Northville, Michigan.  

Marcia was raised in Northville, MI and graduated from Northville High School.  She continued her education at Michigan State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education.   Career moves took Marcia and Harl to several cities including Milwaukee, WI, Los Alamos, NM, Minneapolis, MN, and Eau Claire, WI before settling in Barnes, WI in 1976.  Marcia received her Master of Library Science and began her career as the Ondossagon High school librarian and then the Drummond school system librarian.

She volunteered her time and served the area as an EMT and as a board member of the Northern Waters Library system for forty plus years. She was active in her community as a volunteer on the Aquatic Invasive Species in lakes committee, the Parks & Recreation committee, and the Cemetery committee.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who enjoyed hosting her friends and family at her home on Upper Eau Claire Lake.

She is survived by her children, Rev. Karl A. Wellnitz of Ashland, WI and Kathie L. (Scott) Sheldon of Austin, MN; her grandchildren, Alex L. Sheldon, Elizabeth L. Sheldon and Samantha L. Sheldon; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Marcia is preceded in death by husband, her siblings, Leanna Callis and Ray Doeksen.

Marcia was laid to rest next to her husband on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI.  There will be a memorial service at Trinity Lutheran church in Hayward WI at a later date.

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