Marie Watrud

(Laura) Marie Watrud of Blanchardville died on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital in Monroe. She was born on August 26, 1926 in Dodgeville to Bernard & Lavina (Peterson) Jenks. She grew up in Dodgeville where she graduated from grade and high school, and then graduated from the Platteville Teacher’s College. Marie taught in a country school near Dodgeville, and then started teaching in the Blanchardville grade school. She met Harland Watrud while in Blanchardville. They were married on June 26, 1948 and then Marie stayed home to raise their children. After their youngest child started kindergarten she returned to teaching in Blanchardville, where she taught reading and then 2nd grade for the Blanchardville and Pecatonica school districts until retirement in 1990. Marie was an active member of the Blanchardville Lutheran Church where she was involved in the Women of the ELCA, was a leader in the Bethel Series Bible study, and the mentor program for confirmation. Marie and Harland traveled on over 100 Tri-State Tours over the years. She was a member of the 500 card club from Blanchardville. In 1997 she and Harland were awarded the Knights of Columbus Community Service Award. She was an active member of the Blanchardville Legion Auxiliary. Marie was on the Lafayette County Housing board for over 25 years. She volunteered at the Pecatonica Christian Pre-School at the Blanchardville Lutheran Church. Marie also served her community in countless other volunteer organizations and services.

Marie is survived by her husband, Harland Watrud of Blanchardville; four children, Anna (Orville) Olson of Dodgeville, Allen (Martha) Watrud of Middleton, Arlene Krueger of Madison, and Glen (Gloria) Watrud of Brodhead; seven grandchildren, Amy (William) Barnes, Elizabeth Olson, Matthew (Stephanie) Watrud, Lindsey (Steve) Witt, Damon (Ashley) Krueger, Kjersten (Jason Hayes) Krueger, and Erik Krueger; six great-grandchildren with one more due any day, Miranda & Ellen Barnes; Natalie, Adam & Maya Watrud; Tyler Witt; and a baby boy Krueger; one sister, Oneida Lindauer; and sisters-and-brother-in-law Inez Watrud and Dean & Pat Watrud. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Lee and Herbert Jenks; a sister Norma Curtis; three brothers-in-law Robert Watrud, Dwight Curtis, Melvin Lindauer; and a sister-in-law, Harriet Jenks.

A visitation for Marie will be held on Tuesday evening, April 17, 2012 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Blanchardville Lutheran Church in Blanchardville. Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.