Marcella Sylvia Semb, age 95, of Pigeon Falls, passed away peacefully at the Pigeon Falls Health Care Center in Pigeon Falls on Monday, February 2, 2015 surrounded by her children who loved and admired her greatly. Her calming and gentle presence, her constant sincere smile and her appreciative nature for the life she had been given will be missed by all who knew her.

Marcella was born on January 20, 1920 in Pigeon Falls to Martin and Sina (Engebretson) Engebretson. She was baptized into the Christian faith in the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church on April, 1920.

On December 2, 1939, Marcella married the love her life, Milfred Oliver Semb in Pigeon Falls. In their earlier, married life, Marcella and Milfred lived and farmed in various local areas including, Bear Creek, Trump Coulee, Fitch Coulee, Reynolds Coulee, Hale and Steig Coulee where they bought the family Nelson-Dahl farm in 1961 between Pigeon Falls and Whitehall. They lived there for 25 years until Milfred passed away on January 11, 1986. Marcella continued to live there until she moved to the Pigeon Falls Senior Apartments in 1998. There she enjoyed church activities, volunteering at the Pigeon Falls Nursing Home and visiting with her neighbor ladies. Her hobbies included flowers, reading, puzzles and listening to old time music.

In addition to farming with her husband for many years, Marcella worked in the Tri-County Memorial Hospital's Dietary Department for seven years as a food service supervisor. She later worked for ten years at the Coral City Store and for one more year at the East Side Grocery.

Marcella was a member of the Pigeon Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church (now Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls). She joined in 1948 and was member of the Ladies Aide and Circles for many years.

Marcella moved into the Pigeon Falls Nursing Home in July of 2010. The residents, staff, CNA's and nurses there all became "family" to her.

Marcella is survived by her three children, Merlin Semb of Pigeon Falls, Donald Semb of rural Whitehall and Selina (Steven) Moen of Black River Falls; a granddaughter, Michelle Moen of Melrose; a step granddaughter, Jackie Moen-Kadlec of Taylor; a step-granddaughter-in-law, Diane Moen-Ross of Black River Falls; two step-great-grandsons, CJ and Bryce Moen of Black River Falls.

In addition to her parents and husband, Marcella was preceded in death by four brothers, Ernest Arnold (died in infancy), Ernest Ardell (died at age 6), Curtis Orlando (died July 21, 1995) and Milton Odell (died July 10, 2000) and step-grandson, Steven Daniel Moen (April 25, 2005).

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls with burial in the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery both in Pigeon Falls. Pastor Yvonne Marshall will officiate.

Visitation will be Friday, February 6, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.