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Our loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend, Marlene C. O'Connell passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the age of 89. She was born on October 14, 1935, the daughter of the late Herbert and Emma (Luebke) Harrison. Marlene attended Winneconne High School where she enjoyed music, especially playing the saxophone, participating in forensics, and theater arts. Following high school, Marlene attended the Madison General School of Nursing where she pursued a degree in nursing. She then worked at Mercy Medical Center.

Marlene and Donald attended high school together and had their first date at the Eagles Club. They were later married on July 7, 1956. Together they owned and operated Surge Dairy Equipment Sales for many years before retiring. Donald and Marlene were married for 67 years before he preceded her in death on November 20, 2023. Marlene enjoyed gardening, reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting, canning and baking. She was involved in many activities in the community including card club and investment club and was one of the original members of the Young at Heart Homemakers Club since 1959. Marlene also liked to volunteer her time with the Red Cross and the Winneconne Historical Society. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Winneconne and she and Donald enjoyed attending community functions, parades and festivals.

Marlene is survived by her children, Shaun (Cheryl) O'Connell, Tenee (Craig) Angelo and Darby O'Connell (Bryon Kolitz); her grandchildren, Jason (Robin) O'Connell and their children, Tyler, Devon, Morghan and Peyton; Stacey (Tony) Farley and their children, Karl and David; Abby O'Connell-Tritt and her children, Sam and Ila Mae; two nephews, Ron (Kathy) Petronzio and Roger Petronzio; two great-nieces, Breanna (Chris) Medina and Resa (Jeff) Hersman ; other relatives and many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; and her sister, Wilhelmina (Nello) Petronzio. 

A visitation will be on Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St., Winneconne. A graveside service and inurnment will immediately follow in the Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Winchester and will honor both Marlene and Donald O'Connell.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Marlene's family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staffs of Ascension Mercy Hospital, Eden Meadows, Fresenius Dialysis Center and ThedaCare for all the wonderful care provided and thank you to the pastors at St. Paul's Lutheran Church for all their visits. 

If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.