Marlene Jones

Marlene Jean (nee Liebe) Jones, 74, Wausau, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by loved ones, on November 15, 2013, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Marlene (aka Molly) was born on June 3, 1939, in Wausau, to John and Tillie (Zyduck) Liebe.

Marlene graduated from Colby High School, in 1958. Over the years, she worked in many Wausau area restaurants, including Happy's Diner, Evergreen Supper Club, Richard's Supper Club, and Mary's Chapter Two. She was also employed at the old Kroger's Grocery Store as a meat cutter and at the old Dixie Cream Donuts ("time to make the donuts"). She was always a hard worker, went the extra mile, and made friends wherever she went.

Marlene loved spending time with her family, polka dancing, reading books, and listening to country music. As a young person, she was a card carrying member of the very first WXCO Country Music Fan Club. She was a wonderful "from scratch" cook and never followed a recipe. In later years, her universe revolved around her grandchildren. They gave her great joy and kept her busy! She also enjoyed watching the birds from her window, completing word searches/puzzles, playing her Game Boy, and watching her "soaps" and Judge Judy. She collected bells and cow-themed knick knacks. Roses were her favorite flower. Her favorite "Mother's Day" annual outing was with her daughter, Genese (aka Jenny), to the local casino for some nickel-slot action. They were often accompanied by Eileen Brown, who Marlene loved as her "daughter from another mother."

Marlene always had an open door policy and often said, "What's one more!" When her children were growing up, her house was the place where everyone came to hang. Called "Mom" or "Ma Jones" by all, she never let anyone go hungry and always made room if you needed a place to sleep. Many a conversation was started at her kitchen table over a good cup of coffee. Everyone who entered her home was offered a something good to eat and her cookie jar was always full for those who had to "grab and go."

Marlene is survived by her children, Steve, Kristina (Rob) Barbier, Russell (Erma Fliehs), Jayson, and Genese (Bob) Pagel; grandchildren, Jessika, Steven, Kelly, Laisey, Chad, Jordan, Amber, Shauna, Jake, Cassi, and Megan; and great-grandchildren: Owen, Audra, Annelise, Molly, Maryah, Sam Jr., Parker, Jack, Destiny, and Naleah. Marlene is also survived by her sisters, Delores Blundon and Maxine Sigmund (fraternal twin).

Marlene was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Spencer Barbier; parents; and siblings, Larry Liebe, Lawrence Liebe, Eleanor Liebe, Audrey Liebe, and Rosemary Balistreri.

In lieu of a formal funeral service, family and friends are invited to celebrate Marlene's life on Tuesday, November 19, at Angelo's Pizza, Wausau, from Noon to 2:00 p.m. Please join us as we do it Marlene's way – good food, good friends, and plenty of laughter!

Marlene's family will scatter her ashes this summer per her wishes, as she always hated the cold. She is going to be greatly missed by her family and friends.