Marjorie finally threw off Alzheimer's grasp and now rests peacefully in heaven.  She handled the disease with her usual grace along with a hefty dose of laughter.  She passed away on July 26, 2024.

She was born in Elgin, IL on December 5, 1944 to John and Imogene Thompson.  Her love of cooking and baking took root when her mom taught her to cook meals to satisfy the appetites of her dad and five brothers after a day of working on the farm.  Fun and play were also important and there were many water-skiing adventures with the family.

Marjorie attended school in Hampshire, Illinois, where she met the love of her life at a basketball game.  She and Wendell were married in 1961 and became partners in life and on the farm.  Their farming endeavors in Hampshire included milk cows, beef cows, pigs and horses.  When they moved to Dexter, Minnesota in 1973 they switched to grain farming.  They both loved to travel and had many adventures, including trips to New Orleans, Hawaii, Europe and Alaska.  Later in life she attended Rochester Community College and Winona State University (WSU) to become a teacher.  She and daughter Beth graduated on the same day from WSU!

Marjorie was a devoted, fun loving mother to Julie (Chris) Gawarecki, Sara (Don) Bunge, Beth (Kevin) Breault and Matthew (LuAnn) Schiesher.  While they did have a big farmhouse with lots of space, she could often be heard telling them to either go to the basement or outside when they got a bit rowdy!  They were also roped into helping with her huge gardens, canning & freezing vegetables and butchering chickens.

Marjorie loved participating in the life of the Church by attending Sunday and daily Mass along with special liturgies. In different seasons of life, Marjorie was involved in various church activities, including TEC (Together Encounter Christ), TEAM (Hayfield area Christian youth group), prayer group, Bible studies, the Seven Sisters Apostolate, retreats, and many years teaching faith formation at Sacred Heart Church in Hayfield. Wendell and Marjorie dedicated a Schoenstatt home shrine naming it Safe Haven, which is for family and friends alike.

It's fitting that Marjorie would pass from this life on the feast of Saints Joachim and Ann, grandparents of Jesus. She loved being a grandmother!  Her grandchildren loved to stay at the farm and later at their home in Rochester. Marjorie was a wonderful grandma within our family, but she and Wendell enjoyed playing a grandparent role in the lives of young people in many situations. Most recently they welcomed young people in their home for weekly gatherings for food, fellowship and card games. Marjorie referred to them as "the Brunch Bunch."

Marjorie was Grandmother to ten grandchildren:  Andrea (Joseph) Larson; Father Nicholas; Adam (Shelby); and Joseph Gawarecki; Ben (Katy) and Erin Bunge; Jenna (Benny Jung), and Hannah Breault; Cassie (Kyle) Trebbien; and Alexander Schiesher.   She was a great grandmother to eight with the ninth on the way in September.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents John and Imogene Thompson; brothers Ted, Dave and Dan Thompson; infant son George Schiesher.  She is survived by husband Wendell, brothers Norman (Kaye) and Roy (Katie) Thompson.

Visitation is Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.  There will be a rosary recited at 5:00 p.m. and all are welcome to join the family for recitation.

Visitation will also be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2024 at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester.  Funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon and then burial service at Calvary Cemetery.

If you choose to honor her memory with a donation, the family has chosen the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com