Marcella Glanzer

Funeral Services for Marcella Glanzer will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25th at 11 am at the Hutterthal Mennonite Church of rural Freeman. Visitation will be Friday, Oct 24th From 5-7 pm at the Walter's Funeral Home in Freeman with a time of sharing at 6:30 pm.

To livestream the service please click on the following link:  https://www.youtube.com/live/3DzYmElQyjA

Surrounded by her loved ones, Marcella Glanzer, 92, passed away at Freeman Regional Nursing Home and was welcomed into the presence of the Lord on October 16, 2025. She was born on June 2, 1933 to William P. & Katy (Pullman) Gross on a farm southwest of Bridgewater. She joined a family of 5 sisters: Mary, Anna, Katy, Jessie, and Rosella (her twin sister). She grew up in a loving Christian home. Upon confession of faith, she was baptized by Rev. Albert Ewert on August 28, 1949 at the Neu Hutterthaler Mennonite Church of rural Bridgewater. She attended country school Taylor #7 and graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1952.

Growing up, Marcella was especially close to her twin sister Rosella. As twins and with their mother sewing most of their clothes, they were often dressed alike in school. Her family spent many evenings gathered around the piano singing hymns in 4-part harmony. After graduation Marcella worked as a nurses’ aide at the St. Joseph Hospital in Mitchell. She married Aaron on May 2, 1954 and moved to a small farm 7 miles southwest of Salem. This union was blessed with 2 children: a daughter, Debra Iona and a son, Ronald Lee. Together they shared farming life in rural Salem, SD.

Working together Marcella and Aaron slowly expanded the farm with pigs, cattle, milking cows, sheep, and even chickens for a while. Along with the land they farmed which grew over time, it turned into a job that kept both of them very busy. She often took over the chores so that Aaron could stay in the field. During harvest time, Marcella would run the wagons back and forth unloading them while Aaron ran the combine. Marcella said it was a good life that she wouldn’t exchange for anything.

Music was always a big part of Marcellas’s life. She loved being a part of a ladies trio that sang at many funerals, Christian Endeavor programs, and other events. She also sang in many other groups at Hutterthal Mennonite Church. Often the words to the songs meant as much to her as the sermons. She said it was always a blessing to be able to sing and listen to Christian music. And for many years, she was responsible for the singing in the primary department. Seeing the children come eager to learn new songs was an enjoyment she never forgot.

Marcella enjoyed cooking, baking, and did a lot of entertaining of friends and relatives who enjoyed her delicious meals. Special treats were pies, kuchen, buns, stritzil, caramel rolls, homemade noodles, gashel, pfeffernüsse, cheese pockets, fruit pockets, and bierocks. People were always happy receiving gifts of food from her.

While on the farm she enjoyed keeping a large garden filled with a variety of produce. Canning a lot of these vegetables along with fruits acquired throughout the season, there was typically many shelves in a basement room filled with canned goods. Her canned pickles were a favorite among family and friends. Marcella also loved flowers, planting beautiful and colorful varieties creating stunning displays.

She enjoyed helping at Swan Lake Camp with their cooking. She considered it a blessing seeing the children as they enjoyed being in a Christian environment. She also really enjoyed working at the Et Cetera shop, volunteering there for many years. Marcella enjoyed giving back to the community and in the process got to meet so many nice people. She also enjoyed being by Aaron’s side as he traveled and worked; supporting him in his many endeavors, and making many new friends along the way.

After 40 years of farming, in the fall of 1992, they retired to their home in Freeman where they enjoyed small town living. After enjoying 62 years of marriage, she lost her husband in 2016. After continuing to live in the house for several more years, due to declining health and stamina, she moved into Freeman Regional Assisted Living in May of 2023. Marcella quickly adjusted to her new home connecting with old and several new friends. There she enjoyed over 2 years of happy living before serious health problems forced her to move into Freeman Regional Nursing Home where her health continued to decline till her passing.

Marcella was a woman of deep faith, trusting in God to get her though life’s ups & downs. Bible reading and devotions were a daily necessity for her. She often felt Christ’s presences walking beside her, guiding her. Marcella leaves a legacy of love, grace, and kindness to those that were blessed to know her. She had a quiet presence and loved watching and listening to her family. She would light up when she saw a grandchild or great-grandchild.

Those grateful for sharing her life are her children, Debra (John) Buck, Owatonna, MN; Ronald Glanzer, Newton, KS. Her grandchildren Joshua (Caycee) Buck, Owatonna, MN; Jennifer (Marty) Kukuczka, Goodyear, AZ; Jason (Maria) Buck, Owatonna, MN; Julie (Brent) Brass, Waseca, MN. Her great grandchildren include Jordan Arbo, Samuel and Liam Buck, Madilyn Brass, and Jackson and Josephine Buck. In-laws: Eva Glanzer, Harrisonburg, VA; Lorraine (Marlow) Deckert, Freeman, SD; Clara (Cordell) Graber, Freeman, SD. As well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Joyfully receiving her in Heaven are her husband Aaron; parents: William and Katy Gross; two brothers that died in infancy; Sisters: Mary (Mike J.) Glanzer, Anna (Jake M.) Hofer, Katy (Jacob) Glanzer, Jessie Gross; twin sister Rosella (Melvin) Glanzer; In-laws: Paul (Lola & Isabel) Glanzer, Alma (Joe E.) Hofer, Mary Ruth (Joe T.) Hofman, Moses (Reva) Glanzer, Miriam (Donald) Hamm, Clarence (Shirley) Glanzer, Raymond Glanzer.