Marsha Senn

Marsha Jean Senn, Our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend has finally earned her wings. She was called home on Friday, July 19 2024.

Marsha was born April 29, 1953 to Wallace and Ruby (Beardmore) Senn. She attended schools in Hokah and LaCrescent, MN, graduating with honors in 1971. She then attended her first year of college at University of LaCrosse. The following summer, she met her husband who had recently returned from VietNam.

Marsha married Michael Meil, November 4th, 1974. She then took a very extended break from her studies to raise three children with Mike. They later divorced.

While raising three children, she also worked outside the home. She worked at LaCrosse Printing for ten years, Insty-Prints for three, and nearly thirteen at LaCrosse County's Printing and Mail room in the County Administration building.

At age 48, she decided to go back to school while continuing to work part-time. Both her son and a daughter also attended WTC that first year. Marsha graduated from college with an Associate degree in Applied Science/Nursing. Mom was then called back to work for LaCrosse County in the Nursing Department at Hillview Healthcare. There she cared for her residents with utmost compassion and humor, working another thirteen years. She took an early retirement at age 62 due to continued health issues.

In 2006, mom met a most kind and caring man named "Howdy." Together, they shared many special, fun times with their friends and families. She cherished those years dearly. Mom was in a life changing car accident in July 2007. While on her way to work one morning from Houston, MN, she swerved for a "Woodchuck" whom she claims was standing up on his hind feet begging. Down a step embankment she flew, hitting trees and rolling over several times. The way her car looked, at first responders remarked he didn't expect to find her alive! Suffering from multiple fractures to head, neck, back and ribs she fought the odds. After 4 months of intense rehab at her sister "Nurse Sandy's" home, and another month at home with Carli, mom returned to work at Hillview by the grace of God. We were so grateful that he did not take her from us that day!

Raising children, working hard and cooking were her passions, also spending time with her family, and the women's bible study group and Coulee Region Gospel Choir. Her home cooked meals were the best! She hosted many a scrumptious holiday meals for her family and in-laws. Once, during a blizzard-like, 18 inch snowfall, on a football Sunday afternoon, mom, dad and grandma Karen trudged through, hauling every variety of wild game and fish dishes imaginable that she prepared to a local "watering hole," serving sixty to seventy many of whom had contributed "their game" for the event. Everyone was amazed at how she had pulled that one off and spoke about it for years after!

Our mom was smart and very strong willed so we were all greatly disturbed when almost overnight in early 2016 she began to suffer from severe, persistent depression and social anxiety with extreme distress. Long lasting effects from the brain trauma, she had endured ten years earlier was most probable along with several small strokes each day her life became more difficult to manage for several years to come.

With much love and encouragement from her family, inner strength and faith in her Lord she fought back. She never once doubted that "If He bring you to it, He will bring you through it." She always had a kind word, a gentle smile or joke for everyone she met along her life's journey.

Marsha is survived by her children; Cheri Meil, Carli (Chad) Meil, Phillip (Michelle) Meil, grandchildren; Kimber (Brock) Schilla, Philip, Ezra and Kekoa Novak; Dylan and Kaeli Meil, great grandson, James Byrd, three sisters; Sandy (Bob) Lubinski, Karen (Craig) Hoecherl, Donna Kurtz; one brother, Gary (Rachel) Senn; special friend Howard "Howdy" Maxwell, many nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends and special furry family members. She is preceded in death by her parents and her late husband, Michael Meil.

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever."

~Alfred Tennyson

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, July 29, 2024 at Christ is Lord Free Lutheran Church, 1269 County Road PH, Onalaska, WI. Family and friends may gather for a visitation at church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Mound Prairie Cemetery in LaCrescent, MN.