Marian A. Ball

Marian A. Ball

Marian Ball of Neillsville died peacefully at home  Dec. 22, 2025, at the age of 90. She was born May 16, 1935, in Medford, WI, daughter of the late Joseph Spanbauer and late Theodora (Boettcher) Spanbauer. She attended Holy Rosary School, where she played clarinet in the band and Medford High School. After eighth grade, Marian entered St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee, though left after seven months due to being homesick. She married Marvin German Dec. 26, 1953, at the Catholic Church in Medford, WI. Together they had nine children later divorcing in 1970. In 1973, Marian married Albert Dale Ball, and they had one son.

In her teens, Marian worked at the Medford pea canning factory and later the furniture factory in Dorchester. Marian worked at the Havenette Nursing Home in Owen as a CNA and cook and seasonally at Figis. She had large gardens and canned vegetables and strawberries. She and Dale also owned and operated the Midway Bar in Withee and in 1976, purchased the Aquarium Bar and Restaurant in Thorp, which closed in 1991. Marian taught CCD classes at St. Bernard/St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp under the direction of Father John Puerner. She also led Rosary before the 5 p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Mary’s church in Neillsville for many years. After Dale died, she moved to Neillsville to live with her son, Ray, daughter-in-law Jen, and their daughter, Alexa. Marian enjoyed embroidering and painting, knitting, crocheting, puzzles and playing many card games. She loved listening to Charlie Pride and watching old Westerns, especially those starring Gene Autry, and attending Alexa’s activities and events.

Marian is survived by her five daughters, Rose (Elmer) Zarins of Abbotsford, Carol (Brian) Weiler of Winneconne, Nancy (Randy) Pipes of Pasadena, TX, Judith Kay (Michael) Stankevitz of Michigan and Sheryl Fifer of Texas; her four sons, John of Cable WI, Gary of Hartford WI, Ken (Pam) of Curtiss and Raymond (Jennifer) of Neillsville; 36 grandchildren, Amanda, Joy, Brian, Corey, Jason, Joe, Luke, Emily, Craig, Dan, Nick, Angie, David, Megan, Justine, Jaclyn, Natalie, Karrie, Ron, Robert, Kayla, Kristin, Katy, Nadine, Tanya, Alaina, Gina, Rebecca, John, Melissa, Sherry, Amy, Jennifer, Brinley, Ashlyn and Alexa, as well as many great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters, Joanne (Lawrence) Bartnik of Colby and Jeanette (Dennis) Seidel of Colby and brother Ron (Geri) of Stetsonville. 

Marian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale; one son, Tom; one daughter, Linda; one granddaughter, Michelle, and three brothers, James, Robert and David.

Visitation will take place at Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville Monday, Dec. 30 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville Tuesday Dec. 30, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation at 9 a.m., followed by Rosary just prior to Mass. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery. 

The family would like to extend thanks to the St. Croix Hospice team for all the support given to Marian and her family.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Marian’s family with funeral arrangements.