Lucy Marthaler

Lucille ‘Lucy’ Marthaler of Osakis was gifted with spending her birthday with Jesus this year.  She passed into her new life a day before her 77th birthday.  With her family close by, she died on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2021 at Galeon in Osakis where she had been a resident.

Lucy was born on February 15, 1944 to Joseph T. and Lucine (Wiener) Niehaus in Melrose, MN, one of seven children born to this union.  She went to Holy Family School in Sauk Centre, MN through eighth grade and then attended St. Francis High School in Little Falls.  She enrolled at St. Gabriel’s School of Nursing and graduated as a registered nurse three years later.  Her first assignment was at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Alexandria, MN while living at home on the family farm.  She met a charming young farmer named Raymond Marthaler and they were married on June 11, 1966 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, MN.  In addition to helping farm and raise their seven children, Lucy also worked as a banquet server at the Radisson Arrowwood Resort.  She later worked 15 years at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria in the SPD (Surgical Processing Dept) unit.

Lucy lived her faith throughout her life.  She was a very active member of St. Alexius parish in West Union, serving as an R E instructor for ten years, on the Parish Council, as an Eucharistic Minister, a choir member and a member of Christian Mothers.  For years she worked the dining hall at the annual Sausage Supper.  As a woman of many talents, Lucy also enjoyed gardening, (especially in her strawberry patch) and helped drive tractor.  She was a great cook who always baked plenty of goodies to feed her hungry family and any other guests who stopped in.  She loved to socialize, whether at a homemaker’s get-together or a night out dancing.  When the opportunity to travel came, she was delighted to go on adventures all over the world.  She was happiest first and foremost however, when surrounded by her family and with a new grandbaby safely snuggled in her arms.

The good Lord has received into His arms a loving soul.  Lucy will live on in the hearts of her family, especially her husband, Ray Marthaler of Osakis; children, Natalie (Jerome) Schubert of Rice, Annette (Joseph Twomey) Marthaler of St. Paul, Camille (Jacob) Dye of Maple Grove, Colin Marthaler of Lino Lakes, Jennifer (Mark) Klaphake and Andrea (Joseph) Borgerding, all of Sauk Centre, Ryan (Sarah) Marthaler of Minneapolis; 15 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; siblings, Antoinette ‘Toni’ Wiener of Sauk Centre, Joseph (Beth) Niehaus of Osakis, Marian Moening and Virgil Niehaus, both of Sauk Centre, Eileen ‘Chuckie’ Niehaus of Maple Grove; many nieces, nephews and cousins.  Ready to greet her in Heaven were her parents and a brother, Fr. Ted Niehaus.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held for Lucy on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union, MN.  Visitation hours are from 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday afternoon at the church.  Interment is at the church cemetery with honorary bearers being the administrators and staff at the Galeon of Osakis.  Active bearers are Jerome Schubert, Mark Klaphake, Joseph Borgerding, Joseph Twomey, Tristan Marthaler and Jacob Dye.

Memories and condolences may also be left for her under her Tribute page at www.royhetland.com.  Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN was honored to assist with her arrangements.