Marcella J. Kalning's Obituary
Marcella "Marcy" Kalning was born June 13, 1936 in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin to Earl and Ottilia (Schmitz) Vink. She was born and raised on her family farm with her 10 brothers and sisters.
Marcy was the valedictorian of her high school class and after graduating moved to Tacoma, Washington where her sister Catherine lived. It was there she met and married the love of her life, Albert "Bo" Kalning on August 16, 1955. Together they raised five children. Their family grew to include fifteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren and countless others Marcy welcomed into their family.
Marcella ran a successful wedding planning business and managed operations at Tacoma Bank. However, her most cherished occupation was wife and mother.
Marcy and Bo were married for 54 years before Bo’s passing in 2010. After Bo’s passing Marcy settled in Gig Harbor, Washington. She chose a home where she kept fruit trees, flowers and bird feeders. She welcomed house guests and babies of all sizes, hosted craft parties, tea parties, checked on old neighbors that had moved away and got to know new ones that moved in. Marcy’s home was a gathering place for her family. She hosted countless holiday dinners, skillfully sewed prom dresses, wedding gowns, bridesmaid attire and quilts for every generation. She refused to let her arthritis and heart disease limit her. Her family worked faithfully to make it possible for her to live a joyful and independent life.
Marcy’s full, loving heart stopped beating on March 2, 2018 in her home. Though her family will never be the same, they are thankful for every moment she was with them.
Marcy is survived by her children and their spouses, Becki and Gary Arnts, Barbie Strote and Craig Emig, Betti and Tim Shuckhart, Mark and Cindy Kalning and Michael Kalning, her sister Deloris Chartrand, along with her 15 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Marcy looked to God for strength, comfort and guidance. She weathered every storm that came her way with grace, class and dignity. Our world is a better place because of her.
Visitation will be held 12:00PM-8:00PM Thursday, March 8, 2018 in the Willow Room.
A Funeral Mass for Marcella will be held 11:00AM Friday, March 9, 2018 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Tacoma, Washington.
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