Marlan Sheldon Ness, age 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Friday, November 17, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.  Marlan was born in Hustler, Wisconsin on August 19, 1932, to Clarence and Ruth (Albertson) Ness.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian Faith at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hustler, Wisconsin.  He attended Tunnel Grade School and New Lisbon High School.

Marlan worked at Waukesha Motors and The Weber Brewery after which he was drafted into the US Army and served at Fort Lewis, Washington and served during the Korean War. He met Gyneth Wagenson on a blind date in 1957, and they were united in marriage on September 19, 1959, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Shennington, Wisconsin.  Marlan joined the Wisconsin National Guard with the 32nd Brigade in May of 1959.  He was called up for the Berlin Crisis in 1961. He was employed as a supply technician for USPFO For Wisconsin, Camp Williams until he retired on December 31, 1988.  After retirement Marlan worked as a painter at Volk Field.  He also enjoyed spending his time helping out at Twin Bluffs Country Market greenhouse.  There he acquired the nickname of “Petunia Man” as he transplanted many, many petunias.

He was a long-time member of the Camp Douglas Lions Club, and he recently was given special recognition for 50 years with the Camp Douglas American Legion Post 133.  He served as director for the Lemonweir Valley Telephone Company board for 18 years.  He was an active member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Camp Douglas and served on the church council several times throughout the years.  He was a long-time member and past President of the St. Stephens Cemetery Board.

In his spare time, Marlan enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, playing cards, attending his granddaughters’ ball games, watching westerns and America’s Funniest Home Videos, and spending time with his dog, Princess.  His 3-year-old great grandson, Hunter, brought him great joy, and his visits meant the world to him.  Every Tuesday he joined his friends for “coffee clutch” at Camp Douglas Travel Mart. Most people who knew Marlan are aware of the fact that he had a love for bacon cheeseburgers.  He always said you can’t do anything wrong with a cheeseburger. 

Marlan is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gyneth; son, Jeffery (Karol Knapp) Ness of New Lisbon; daughter, Kathy (Kevin) Niles of New Lisbon; brother Claire (Nancy) Ness of Camp Douglas; sister Darlene (Robert) Hunter of Cross Fork, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law Rodney Wagenson of Camp Douglas; sister-in-law, Susan Wagenson of Shiocton; Grandchildren; Krista (William) Kobleska, Jill Niles, Morgan (Terry Paulson) Ness, Mackensea (Kurt) Starkey; great grandson, Hunter Kobleska; nieces, nephews, and very special friends Loren and Helen Laehn.  He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Claire and Clara Wagenson; and brother-in-law, Jerry Wagenson.  A sister-in-law, Sue Wagenson, passed away several hours after Marlan.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Mile Bluff Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic Health Care in La Crosse.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 283, Camp Douglas, WI 54618.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 11:00am at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church (215 Douglas St) in Camp Douglas.  Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Monday November 20th from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at the Hare Funeral Home (217 W. Pearl St) in New Lisbon.  Rev. Jeff Ruetten presiding.  Burial with Military Honors will take place in the St. Stephen’s Lutheran Cemetery.  The Hare Funeral Home in New Lisbon is assisting the family with services.  Online guestbook available at www.harefuneralhome.com

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