Lucella E. Witzel Klingel, age 104, of Waldo, died Monday, May 21, 2018, at the Marion Manor Nursing Home.
On July 16, 1913, Lucella was born in Marion County, the oldest of four children of the late Harry J. and Emma C. (Loyer) Witzel. She graduated from Cardington High School in the class of 1931.
On one fateful night at the Whetstone Grange Hall in Waldo, Lucella met her husband to be, Willis W. Klingel, at a local dance. They were married soon thereafter on May 16, 1934, in Greenup, Kentucky. They shared fifty years of marriage. He preceded her in death on December 30, 1984.
During Lucella and Willis’s fifty years together, they were always by one another’s side, the best of friends. They worked together on their family farm on State Route 98, where she did whatever was needed to help run Willis and the farm. They also tended a huge garden of vegetables and flowers, canning much of their vegetable crop every year.
In addition to helping on the farm, Lucella was a loving homemaker and exceptional cook. No one left Lucella’s home hungry, where she specialized in baking, making the best pies from scratch. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting, creating amazing pieces with her attention to every detail.
A woman of faith, Lucella was a member of the Peace Community United Church of Christ.
Very sharp, Lucella was a well read and well-traveled woman. She and Willis traveled throughout the entire United States and took many trips to Europe together.
The “rock of the family,” Lucella truly was the matriarch of her family. She was always there for them, caring for many of them for years. She was a strong woman of her time, determined and steadfast to her beliefs. She always took pride in being “the boss,” something she enjoyed reminding her grandsons.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Joyce (Ben) Cumston of Waldo; two grandsons: Tom Dye, and Tim Dutton; and several nieces and nephews.
Including her husband and parents, Lucella was preceded in death by her three siblings: Esther Klingel, Grace Neal, and Clarence Witzel.
Her family will greet friends from 1 – 2 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2018, at the Peace Community Church of Christ (address below). Services honoring her life will follow there at 2 p.m., with Rev. Joel Fetter officiating. Burial will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Community Church of Christ, c/o Memorial Fund, 4061 Columbus-Sandusky Rd S, Marion, OH 43302.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to serve Lucella’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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