Marian H. Ford

Marian H. Ford (Greene), age 102½, of Menomonie, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at The Neighbors of Dunn County, where she had resided since late 2020.

Marian was born on November 1, 1922, in Menomonie, WI, to John and Augusta (Strehlau) Greene. Her father immigrated from Sweden, and together they raised a family rooted in strong faith and community. Marian was baptized, confirmed, and remained a lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church.

In August 1940, Marian married Clarence Luzern Ford in Stillwater, MN. They began their family of eight children at the Brickyard and, in 1952, purchased a farm just west of Menomonie, north of Highway 12. Marian and Clarence worked side by side on the farm for many years, raising both crops and children with dedication and love. Marian never obtained a driver’s license, so every errand and grocery trip was a team effort with Clarence.

She was a proud member of the Tramway Homemakers and tended a large garden including sweet corn at their home. Marian also helped instill a love of music and dancing in her family, frequently joining Clarence at local establishments like the 400 Club, Irvington Bar, Club 10, Weston, and the Red Rooster. She taught her kids to "kick up their heels" on the dance floor and was known for being a good dancer.

In 1972, she organized the first Greene Reunion in Knapp. The gathering eventually outgrew that space and evolved into the Ford-Greene-Rice Corn Roast, held annually at the family farm.

While Marian wasn’t fond of long travels or flying, Clarence managed to convince her to visit Montana shortly after the Mount St. Helens eruption—returning with Mountain Ash. She also joined on a family motorhome trip to Michigan and later flew to California and Colorado to visit grandchildren and celebrate milestones, including a graduation and their 50th wedding anniversary in 1990.

In 1992, Marian and Clarence moved from the farm to North Menomonie, near a golf course. She found joy in collecting stray golf balls and making use of the apple tree in their yard—often peeling apples for canning and recipes.

After Clarence’s passing in 2003, Marian was persuaded to join a women’s dartball team. Although new to playing, she brought her trademark enthusiasm and competitive spirit—once hitting three home runs in a single game and even famously “charging the board” after disputed calls.

Marian had a special tradition every Easter, saving up coins to fill plastic eggs for her grandchildren. As they got older, she cleverly replaced the coins with slips of paper noting change amounts, challenging them to guess the heaviest egg.

Over the years, the family was blessed with beloved pets including Perky, Laddie, Happy, Peanuts, Calliope, Scooby Doo, and One-eyed Smokey who enjoyed raw liver treats.

Even in her later years, Marian stayed mentally sharp and active. She loved extra-jumbo 32-point word searches, kept a tidy home, and participated in many activities at The Neighbors, including puzzles, bingo, creative projects, Crazy 8’s, and bus outings. Just one day before her passing, Marian proudly shared, “I am very proud of being 102½ and still have a good functioning brain.”

Marian will be deeply missed by many.

Marian is survived by her children: Larry (Karen) Ford, Geraldine Miller, Carol (Ron) Ziehme, Gerald (Jeanne) Ford, LaVerne Ford, Diane Kaiser (Chris True), and Terry (Beth) Ford; daughter-in-law Pam Ford; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Darlene Hintzman and Ardis Dunahee, along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence (2003), son Ronald “Chevy”, sons-in-law Roger Miller and Dennis Kaiser, and 13 siblings.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home, Menomonie, WI.

Funeral Service will take place on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Olson Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior. A lunch will be served after the service. Burial will follow at Ford Cemetery in the Town of Menomonie.

Click this link to view additional details about Marian's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/marian-ford

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