Marcia A. Rhone

Marcia Ann (Radtke) Rhone was welcomed into the arms of her loving Savior on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 as a result of complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.  Marcia was born on July 18, 1948 in New London, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Don and Dolores Radtke.  On August 8, 1948, Marcia became a child of God through holy baptism at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Weyauwega by Rev. Erwin Habeck.  She attended grades K-8 at Emanuel Lutheran School where her faith in and knowledge of Bible promises were fostered and was confirmed by Rev. F.W. Heidemann on April 15, 1962.   Marcia then attended New London High School, graduating in 1966.  Marcia excelled in academics and was very involved in choir, band (flute) and various school plays and activities.  Marcia was named Miss New London in 1966.  In the fall of 1966, Marcia entered college and graduated in 1971 with a degree in social science and a minor in German.  She was ambitious and goal-oriented.  She worked at a variety of jobs during college, her favorite was selling Christmas trees for Radtke Tree Farms. 

It was at UW-Stevens Point where Marcia met Gary Rhone, her future husband.  In 1968, Marcia fulfilled her goal of spending part of the summer living with a host family in Germany.  She became much more fluent in the language and learned about the culture of her German heritage.

In 1971, Marcia, along with college friend Chris Schmelling, traveled to England and Scotland.  The brave, adventurous girls stayed at youth hostels and often hiked or hitchhiked, taking in the sights and culture of the country.  Upon college graduation in 1971, Marcia began her first full-time job with the YWCA in downtown Minneapolis.  Her duties included life guarding, instructing swimming lessons for all ages, including "Water Babies" - it's amazing to see toddlers swimming with great proficiency!  Marcia also wrote a grant to fund a "Model Cities" program.  The full grant was awarded and Marcia began working with young adults.  The work consisted of educational, cultural and recreational activities at the "Y".  Her major event was to lead a group of about 15 to a skiing trip to Austria, and she became a very accomplished downhill skier.  During this era, Marcia and Gary were engaged and Marcia purchased the cotton eyelet fabric in Austria which she used to create her wedding dress.

On September 2, 1972, Gary and Marcia were married in a small outdoor ceremony at Pelican Lake, WI.  The old family fishing lodge owned by Marcia's dad was a perfect venue for the event.  Marcia's Pastor, Rev. F.W. Heidemann officated.  It was at this time, Marcia left Minneapolis and returned to New London to begin her career in real estate.  She joined the family business working with her dad and uncles, Dave and Ken Radtke.  Marcia's friendly, outgoing personality and strong work ethic made her a natural for her successful real estate work.  Individual attention given to her clients, she sold and listed many homes and farmettes in Waupaca County and began subdivision work with her dad.  She soon earned her GRI designation and was presented with a national award in 1976 from The Realtors Association at the convention in San Francisco for her "Make America Better" project.

Marcia and Gary designed and built their new home in 1978 on a beautiful wooded parcel on White Lake Road.  They were able to add additional acreage to the land which provided a great place to hunt, cut firewood, cross-country ski and raise their kids.

Marcia led many home-based studies and prayer time "Friendship Bible Studies" throughout the area.  She was a very gifted writer.  Her book, 'Adoption Love Stories' was published and reprinted several times.  Marcia gave away as many copies as she sold; most were placed in pregnancy counseling centers, adoption agencies, or given to potential adoptive parents.

Marcia loved skiing, camping and travel.  Throughout the years, the family took several Colorado ski trips, many short trips to Fish Lake to visit Grandpa and Grandma Rhone, and annual fishing trips to Canada.  Marcia enjoyed both fishing and deer hunting.  From 1962 to 2021, Marcia never missed an opening deer season, bagging her last buck in her final season.  Marcia sometimes quipped that "Gary married me for the deer hunting."

Marcia was always immersed in volunteer work.  For several years she was the county coordinator for the area agency on aging.  She coordinated social events for the senior citizens and worked on the Meals on Wheels Program.  In 1980, Marcia stepped away from her full-time real estate career after the birth of her and Gary's first child.  She continued to do lots of volunteering, became active in the Pro-Life Movement and worked at a local pregnancy counseling center.  In 1990, she attended the March for Life Rally in Washington D.C. with son, Jeremy.  About that time, Marcia started a new business venture, Christian's Corner.  She placed spinner racks with Christian books in grocery stores, restaurants and shops throughout northeast Wisconsin, always believing "God's Word will not return void" *Isaiah 55:11.  Thousands of Christian books were sold and hundreds were donated and sent to Africa, Russia and Asia.  Each year, the parent company of the book suppliers held a national convention.  Doubling as a family vacation, it allowed the family to travel to several locations around the country. With family duties increasing, Marcia sold the book business and concentrated on parenting her and Gary's 3 pre-teen children.

Marcia held ministry dear to her heart, designing and leading women's bible studies and beginning a number of women's ministries at Emanuel Lutheran, some of which are still in place. * Matthew 28: 16-20

In 1995, Marcia was thrust back into the real estate business as personal representative of her dad's estate.  She often described her dad as a "collector of real estate" along with business associate, friend, and soul-sister, Jean Twohig.  The two labored for 8 years, liquidating hundreds of properties in Wisconsin and Arizona.  Thanks Jean, for your dedication!

After a short break, Marcia launched a new business, "Clear Pond Quilting".  Marcia was a talented seamstress and fabric artist.  She purchased a long arm machine which was moved into a newly constructed quilt cottage.  Soon the business was thriving.  During the ensuing years, Marcia finished many hundreds of quilts for their homes and families, and as gifts for weddings and graduations.  She was well known for her memory quilts using photographs, t-shirts, sayings and memorabilia for a truly unique artwork.   Sadly, Marcia was forced to close the business in 2021 due to her failing health. 

Gary and Marcia enjoyed their many trips to destinations in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and nearly every state in the US.  Marcia loved the winter home on Laguna Reef on the gulf in Rockport, TX.  The spectacular sunrises from the condo are reflected in the many fabric pieces she created there.

In 2022, Marcia and Gary were given a surprise party honoring their 50th wedding anniversary.  It was a great day and they enjoyed seeing so many family members and friends.

Marcia was an amazing woman of great talent, intellect, ambition and zeal for life and the 'next adventure'.  She was an exceptional wife, mother and grandma. *Proverbs 31: 10-31. Foremost, Marcia was a woman of great faith, dedicated to the spread of God's Word.  Her faith carried her through life's hardships and challenges and we all take comfort knowing she now rests in the loving arms of Jesus.  Well done thy good and faithful servant. *Matthew 25:23.

Marcia is survived and will be dearly missed by her husband, Gary; son: Jeremy (Sarah) Rhone and grandchildren: Makayla, Kendra, Justin and Blake; daughter: Johanna (Tim) Edwards and grandchildren: Rowan and Reese; son: Justus Rhone; sister: Cherrie Waxman; brother: Dan Radtke; several aunts, one uncle, numerous cousins and friends.

Preceding Marcia in death are: maternal grandparents: Clarence and Lucille Schulke; paternal grandparents: Frank and Ruth Radtke; parents: Don and Dolores Radtke; mother and father-in-law: Don and Helen Rhone.

The Christian Funeral for Marcia will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 11:00 am at Emanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in New London with Rev. William Heiges officiating.  A visitation for Marcia will be held AT THE CHURCH from 2:00-6:00 pm on Sunday, January 29 and also from 9:00 am until 10:45 am prior to the service on Monday.  Burial will be in Hobart Cemetery.  The service will be live-streamed on Emanuel's Facebook page. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial for Marcia has been established.