Obituary: Lillian Frances Cecelia Marks - Class of 1929

MADISON - Lillian Frances Cecelia Marks, a dear aunt who proudly was a Madison resident for all of her 91 years, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2001. She was born in Madison, Wis., the daughter of Michael and Helen Marks on May 5, 1910. Lil attended St. James Grade School, graduated from Central High School in 1929, and from the State Teachers College, La Crosse, Wis., in 1933. She taught second and third grades at Sunnyside School in Madison for nine years. For 33 years she was employed at Forest Products Laboratory as an engineering technician. Lil was a lifetime member of St. James Parish, Beta Sigma Phi Laureate Iota Sorority, Catholic Order of Foresters, a 50 year season ticket holder for both the University of Wisconsin Badger and the Green Bay Packer football games, and volunteered for many Madison organizations and St. James Parish activities throughout her long life. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Margaret Marks, Denver, Colo.; a niece, Louise (James) Doyle of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; and six nephews, Paul Sommer of Elgin, Ill., Robert (Joanne) Gerritts of Sherwood, Wis., Michael (Sharon) Marks of Boulder, Colo., Denis Marks of San Jose, Calif., Patrick Marks of Denver, Colo., and Phillip (Beatriz) Marks of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She is further survived by numerous cousins, 15 grand-nieces and nephews; 20 great-grand-nieces and nephews; 20 great-great-nieces and nephews; and many, many very special friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, Michael and Helena Marks; her maternal grandparents, Mary and Henry Schwenker; her paternal grandparents, Ellen and Patrick Marks; two brothers, Richard Marks and Robert Marks; two sisters, Helen Sommer and Catherine Gerritts; her nephews wife, Barbara Sommer; and godchild, Dolly Gerritts Nardella. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 5, 2001, at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1121 St. James Court, Madison, with Father Douglas L. Dushak and Father Tom Coyle officiating. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, with procession to the church. The family would like to thank all those who have touched Lils life during her days on Adams Street, Spooner Street, South Hill Drive, and at Coventry Village. May the Lord treasure you in his garden of rest because you, dear Lil, were one of the best.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 2, 2001; ssbmitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)