Marion J. Shircel, age 86, resident of Countryside Manor, passed away peacefully into eternal life to
meet her beloved husband, Tony, on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at St. Nicholas Hospital.
Marion was born on January 28, 1932, in Sheboygan, to Henry and Alma (Claussen) Ver Velde. She
attended Oostburg schools and graduated from Oostburg High School, class of 1949.
Marion was a farm girl. She grew up knowing the value of a hard day’s work, picking the pill bugs off of
the potato plants, and baking and cooking in the kitchen alongside her mother and sister. Her
employment positions included: H.C. Prange Co., Polarware, Luedke’s Meat Market, and Verifine Dairy.
Her response to those who asked her, “How are you?” was always, “Very fine!”
Marion married the love of her life, Tony Shircel, on October 29, 1955, at St. George Catholic Church in
the Town of Wilson. Together, they enjoyed good music, stage shows, and countless road trips through
the United States and Canada. Special memories include annual vacations with family to Wildwood
Resort near Eagle River, annual Memorial and Labor Day picnics at Evergreen Park with close friends and
family, and outings at Oneida Casino with her beloved brother and sister.
An active, energetic person, Marion loved gardening, painting, cooking and baking, bowling, playing
sheepshead with her card club, playing board games, reading, exercising at Pulse Point in her later years,
and participating in all the activities at Countryside,. Marion was a beautiful soul, a prayerful, devout
Catholic, a generous, selfless, and loving individual. She’d be the person who baked for the new
neighbors, welcoming them into the neighborhood, and would give anyone the shirt off her back. She
led a lifetime of service: Cub Scout Den Mother, St. Dominic PTA, St. Dominic Christian Mothers Society,
Catholic Women’s Charity Club, Emmaus Meal Volunteer at Salvation Army, and Sheboygan Co. Home
and Community Education (HCE).
Marion was most proud and happy of the success, activities, and lives of her children and grandchildren,
attending sporting events, musical events, graduations, and everything in between. She was always only
a phone call away to lend a helping hand. Marion spent her life creating a warm and happy home for
her family where they could always have a home to come back to with love, strength, support, and fresh
baked cookies. Words do not do justice to her continual optimism, perpetual smile, gentle spirit, and
unending faith in our Lord.
Marion is survived by her children, Diane (Patrick) Miles, Howards Grove, Steven (Karen) Shircel,
Sheboygan, and Thomas (Denise) Shircel, Kenosha; nine grandchildren, Christopher (Sierra) Miles,
Oconomowoc, Kevin (Jodie) Miles, Sheboygan, Matthew (Amy) Miles, Plymouth, Kelly Miles, Milwaukee,
Andrew Shircel, Sheboygan Falls, Anna Shircel (Matthew Wendt), Madison, and Tyler, Amy, and Cora
Shircel, all of Kenosha; her great-grandchildren, Paige, Serenity, Raina, Sebastian, Amelia, and Paislie;
her brother James (Hilly)Ver Velde, and sister Loraine Oetzel, all of Sheboygan; nieces, nephews, other
relatives and many friends.
Besides her husband, parents, and in-laws, Anton and Mary Sircelj, she was preceded in death by her
brother, Eugene Ver Velde, sister-in-law, Marilyn Ver Velde, and brothers-in-law, Myron Oetzel and
Stanley Sircelj.
A mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9, at St. Dominic Catholic
Church, 21 st St. and Geele Avenue. Fr. Gideon Buya will officiate. Visitation will take place at the church
from 8:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Dominic Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, or St.
Nicholas Hospital Hospice.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers and staff at Countryside Manor where Marion had a
warm, embracing, fun-filled home. She loved her table mates, friends, and the caregivers who made her
laugh daily. Also, many thanks to the St. Nicholas Hospital Hospice staff and the 4 th floor nurses. You
treated our mother with dignity, respect, and compassion. We are forever grateful for the peace and
comfort you gave her.
Mom, we miss you already. It is said how we treat others reveals much about our values. Your actions
are a testament to those values. So much of us is made of what we learned from you. You’ll be with us
like a handprint on our heart.
A mother’s love is binding
Unrelenting in its power.
The glow from it so blinding
Beyond her final hour.
Even after a mother is gone
Her love will see you through.
A love to help you carry on
Because that’s what mothers do.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Marion’s arrangements.
