of Mountain Home, AR
April 29, 1940 - February 29, 2020
Marcella F. Tancsa, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother entered into her eternal rest on February 29, 2020 at the age of 79 at Hospice House in Mountain Home, Arkansas. We will miss her every day until we meet her again in Heaven.
She was born April 29, 1940 in East Carondelet, Illinois to Sheldon and Emily (Yahl) Stratmann. She moved to Mountain Home, Arkansas in 1964.
Marcella was among the first 100 or so employees for the newly opened Baxter Lab. She worked diligently as the Maintenance Department secretary until she retired from the lab in 1992.
After caring for her sister, Dorothy, through a long battle with pancreatic cancer in 2007, Marcella found her new calling in life as a volunteer for Hospice of the Ozarks and Hospice House. She devoted countless hours to serving the needs of others for over 10 years. This organization and the people who serve there became her closest friends and second family.
She had to step aside from her service to Hospice in January of 2018 when she received her own diagnosis of cancer. Although not able to continue to serve those she loved, she leaves behind a legacy built on kind words, gentleness, commitment and love. Her smile could always light up the room, and her voice answering the phone calls of those in need brought comfort and hope to so many.
She is preceded in death by her beloved family members. Her parents, brother, Henry Stratmann, brother and sister-in-law, Sheldon and Bernie Stratmann, brother, Eugene Stratmann and her sister, Dorothy Stratmann along with several nieces and nephews awaiting her arrival at the Heavenly Gates.
Treasuring her memory is her daughter, Donna and her husband, Jeff Frentz of Mountain Home, Arkansas. Her grandsons: Nathanial Crider (Katlynn) of Winslow, Arkansas; Lance Crider (fiancé, Megan) of Rolla, Missouri; Christopher Crider (fiance, Amanda) of Johnson City, Tennessee; Michael Frentz of Hayward, California; two great-grandchildren: Devin Crider and Autumn Harris-Smith. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law; Helen Stratmann and Millie Stratmann and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Marcella was a devout Catholic and member of St. Peter of the Fisherman Catholic Church since 1964. She taught CCD classes for 13 years and was often fond of telling folks ''I never made it out of the second grade!'' She was loyal to her Blessed Mother in her daily devotions. She was a lifelong member of the Women's C.C.W.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2019 at Roller Funeral Home Chapel from 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Peter of the Fisherman Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Interment will be at Baxter Memorial Gardens in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Hospice of the Ozarks Hospice House, 811 Burnett Drive, Mountain Home, AR 72543 in her memory.
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8 Condolence(s)
Erin Warr
Thursday, March 5, 2020
I always enjoyed seeing Marcella at the Hospice House. She was such a nice lady. She often talked about how proud she was of her family. Prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Barbara Smith
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Marcella was such a giver of happiness; just knowing her gave me such wonderful blessings of love and joy. She gave so much of her time and talent, the countless times I was honored and proud to say "Marcella trained me to be a Hospice volunteer".
She treated all of us like family; it was the product of the big and generous heart that God gave her. Not only me; but all the many friends she made through the years; enjoyed the gift of the special piece of her heart.
Marcella's life was a rainbow of blessings; God had given her the gift of affection and exuberance about life. She had a willingness to stick with things. a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that permeates things and people.
Donna and Jeff....I will remember the remarkable woman I met 6 years ago....whose faith in God and love of life will always be an inspiration and I will treasure the memories of the time I shared with your Mom. I embrace you both tenderly with my thoughts and prayers. May it give you peace knowing the eternal glory that has dawned for your precious loved one.
A sunset on earth is a sunrise in Heaven
Barbara Smith
Cindy Conn
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Donna, Jeff and family my thoughts and prayers are with you. Marcella was a wonderful woman and friend. I will always cherish our time spent working in the office at Hospice of the Ozarks. She was always so pleasant and comforting to others all while dealing with her own pain. She will truly be missed. May God Bless you and your family. Love Cindy
Paula Roddy
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Some of my fondest memories of Marcella was seeing her smiling face when I was at Baxter Lab.she was always so friendly and ready to help if needed.Remembering her in thoughts and may she R.I.P.in her Eternal Home
Sincerely Paula Roddy
Julie Stewart
Monday, March 2, 2020
Deepest sympathy to the family. Marcella was one in a million.
Richard Queen
Monday, March 2, 2020
Working with Marcella at Baxter for so many years was always a joy. She was always pleasant and kind to everyone. I am so sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences to the Family and Friends of Marcella.
Kathy Weaver
Monday, March 2, 2020
Donna,
I am so sorry for your loss and so happy for Marcella. She is where we Christians long to be. She was such an amazing lady. She was always so happy and ready to help with a smile on her face. I missed seeing her weekly when I left Hospice of the Ozarks. I am happy that I saw here recently.
May God comfort you. Love,Kathy
Linda Harrington
Monday, March 2, 2020
Donna and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you during these trouble times. Marcella was a wonderful person and I enjoyed working with her at Baxter. I know you will miss her but you have memories to cling to and I know they are good ones.
God Bless you and the family
Linda Harrington