Marie Menzel

Marie Emma Ida Hiepler was born January 17, 1917, to Adolf and Martha (Struck) Hiepler in Madison, MN. The family later moved to the Ellendale, ND area where she spent most of her growing up years. Marie was a child of the depression and droughts of the 1930’s. That experience shaped her understanding of what, in life, is really important; her relationship with God, family and community.



Marie’s spiritual life was one of a quiet monumental faith in the love of her Friend and Savior, Jesus Christ. Not one to wear her religion on her sleeve, she embodied the meaning of the phrase, “walk the talk.”



On June 27, 1940, Marie was united in marriage to Clarence Ernst Menzel in Winship County near Ellendale, ND. They made their home in Odessa, MN. Her family relationships can be best characterized as that of a “loving servant.” As a young mom, she baked, cooked, mended, washed, cleaned, gardened, kept up the yard, raised her children, and supported her husband, parents, and siblings. As an older mom, she enjoyed spoiling her grandkids.



Marie defined community relationships as primarily her membership in Trinity Lutheran Church where she played the organ, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and was a member of the Ladies’ Aid all the 60 plus years she lived in Odessa. Besides her church membership, Marie loved her bowling team, card club, and was the local volunteer fundraiser for several charitable groups. Marie touched the lives of many people.



Marie is survived by her children, Richard (LJ) Menzel of Hayward, Wisconsin; Dorene (Gordon) Cink of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and William (Debra) Menzel of Aberdeen, South Dakota; grandchildren, Mike Menzel (wife Jamie and children Grace, Isabelle, and Thomas) of Chanhassen, MN; Melissa Lock (husband Joe and son Andrew) of Minneapolis, MN; Kelly Menzel of Columbia Heights, Minnesota; Jenny Menzel of Aberdeen, South Dakota; and Brian Menzel of Mitchell, South Dakota.



Marie was preceded in death by her husband; daughter-in-law Linda; parents; and brothers and sisters Louise, Adolf, Ferdinand, Herman, August, Richard, Walter, Ernest, and Dorthea.