Marian Ball

A livestream of Marian's Mass of Christian Burial can be viewed in the box below this obituary beginning at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

In Loving Memory of Marian A. Ball

Marian Ball of Neillsville died peacefully at home on December 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 8th grade, Marian entered St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee, though left after 7 months due to being homesick. She married Marvin German on December 26th, 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 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 5pm 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, 37 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, 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 on Monday, December 30 2025 from 4pm to 7pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville on Tuesday December 30, 2025 at 10:30am, with visitation at 9am, 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.