Marlene Pruessing, 87, of Walworth, passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at Mercy Walworth Hospital following a long battle with Sjogren’s and lung diseases. She was born March 9, 1926, in Elkhorn Lafayette township, to the late Otto A. and Ida Schmidt.
She attended Plank Road and Jackson one-room schools, and graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1943.
She worked as a nurse’s aide at the Walworth County Hospital until her marriage to Walter Pruessing on Dec. 29, 1949. They lived in New York for two years following their marriage, returning to the Walworth area in 1951.
She was an active member of the Girl Scouts and the Walworth Mothers’ Club, and drove a school bus for the Christianson Bus Company for many years.
She was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Walworth. Her volunteer activities included Meals on Wheels and the local food pantry. She also served on the Walworth Cemetery and Election Boards.
She loved to knit and was especially known for her clowns. She was proud to be named Premiere Knitter of the Walworth County Fair two years.
Survivors include her brother, Donald Schmidt, Twin Lakes; children, Gary (Lisa) Pruessing, Houston, Texas, Dave Pruessing of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Bev Pruessing, Delavan; grandchildren, Scott (Maria) Pruessing, Seattle, Wash., Rachel Pruessing, McLean, Va., and Lucas Pruessing, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
She was further preceded in death by two infant brothers and her husband of 47 years.
Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Toynton Funeral Home, Walworth.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at Faith Lutheran Church, Walworth, with interment in the Walworth Cemetery.
Memorials to the Faith Lutheran Church Building Fund in her name are suggested.
