Thelma L. Marnach

     Thelma L. Marnach, 87, of Sparta, died Monday, March, 8, 2021, at Vernon Memorial Healthcare, Viroqua, WI. She was born on August 23, 1933 in Alvin, WI, to Fred and Mary (Day) Puckett. She grew up in Alvin, WI and was the oldest of 8 children. Thelma started working outside of the home at the age of 14 doing laundry and being a personal assistant.  By the time she was 17 she moved to Kenosha, WI as a cook and waitress.      

     Thelma married Ervinearl Hughes in 1952, they moved to Cataract in the late 1960’s.  They lived in the Sparta area until the time of Ervinearl’s death in 1972.  After that time, she moved back to Kenosha, WI to provide a comfortable life for her family.  She did housework for prominent families and became family to many of them.  By 1980, she returned to Sparta, WI and continued doing housework for families in the area.  In 1992, she married Robert Marnach.  He passed away in 2009.

     Thelma loved to cook, garden, take care of her flowers, and decorate for Christmas. She also loved watching WWE Wrestling. She was a very hard worker with anything she did in her life.  She became a mother to many and a trusted friend.   No one ever went cold or hungry that she knew.  Her faith in God is what brought her through her life on earth as Thelma had many challenges brought to her. 

    She is survived by her children, Marcia (Jim) Pfaff, Ervin (Elizabeth Smothers) Hughes Jr., Pamela (Chad) Phipps all of Sparta; step children, Barbara Mahon of Bentonville, AR, Bonnie Thompson of Janesville, WI, Pamela Lenser of Sparta; 13 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren; siblings, Wanda Childers of Alvin, WI, Willard (Sharon) Puckett of Iron River, MI, Milton (Bonnie) Puckett of Cashton, WI, Brenda (Bob) Petersen of Show Low, AZ; sisters-in-law, Janet Puckett of Kenosha, WI;  Helen Bolstad of Sparta, WI and nieces, nephews, family and lifelong friends. 

     She was preceded in death by husbands, Ervinearl Hughes and Robert Marnach; son- in-law, James Kast; granddaughter, Dawn Marie Goetz; siblings, Arthur Puckett, Jim Puckett, and Gail Renberg.

     A private family service will be held Sunday.

     Friends and family are invited to call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday March 13, 2021 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta. 

    The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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