Marjorie Lillian Margaret (Whitmore) Grossmann

 

RIO - Marjorie Lillian Margaret (Whitmore) Grossmann, 88, departed this life peacefully Tuesday, October 19, 2010.

Born July 6, 1922, in Morristown, New Jersey, the first of fourteen children, to Jay Barnea Whitmore and Ida Frances (Jordan) Whitmore, Marjorie graduated from Boonton High School, in 1941 and worked in the private sector. Turning age 21 in 1943, she answered her country’s call by enlisting in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, assigned to the Army Air Corps at Harlingen, Texas, as a photo specialist. She re-enlisted as a WAC in the Army, and while a sergeant at Arlington Hall Station near Washington, D.C., she met Master Sergeant Gordon Earl Grossmann. They married in Parsippany, New Jersey, on April 6, 1947, and Marjorie gave up her military career to contribute to her husband’s.

The next twenty-one years found her raising four children through a succession of at least twelve moves, including Japan and Hawaii, until her husband’s military retirement in 1968. Settling in Virginia, while her husband pursued a teaching career, Marjorie kept up with the events of our nation’s capital until the family retired to Rio, Wisconsin, in 1985. Finally living closer to family, she kept busy with the completion and construction of two homes and eventual settlement on the family farm in Springvale Township, between Rio and Wyocena.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Ida Whitmore, her sister Helen Burns, her brother Robert Whitmore; and two grandchildren, David Grossmann and Patricia Werts. 

Marjorie is survived by Gordon, her devoted husband of sixty-three years, and their children, Gordon Grossmann, Jr., Bruce (Dawn) Grossmann, Sharon Werts, and Larry (Alla) Grossmann. She leaves nine grandchildren: Elizabeth Grossmann; Benjamin, Sarah, Elias, and Annalise Grossmann; Elizabeth (Ryan) Smith; Nicholas and Megan Grossmann; Paula Zoueva; and three great-grandsons: Rafe Grossmann, and Riley and Gabriel Smith. Marjorie is also survived by eleven sisters and brothers: Betty Tedford, Jeanne Morton, Jay B. (Dolly) Whitmore, Jr., Glo Gilfoy, Joan Bowman, William (Sandra) Whitmore, Marilyn (Jim) Reid, Audrey (Jerry) Ginder, Wesley (Darlene) Whitmore, Judith Cook, and Virginia Tracy. She leaves numerous nephews and nieces, and many other relatives and friends.

 A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with Reverend Alan Boeck officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Lewiston Township, where graveside military rites will be held by Portage area veterans.  Friends may call on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 850 Armstrong St., Portage, WI 53901.

Marjorie expressed a lifelong trust in the grace, mercy, and peace found in knowing Jesus Christ. Though physically blind for many years, when she closed her eyes for her final rest, her family is confident she saw her God.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.    www.pmmfh.com