Marcia Gayle (Hirnschall) Dalke went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at Marshfield Medical Center – Weston.
Marcia was born Oct. 5, 1940, in the Town of Rock Falls, Lincoln County, daughter of the late Frank and Alice (Kufahl) Hirnschall. She graduated from Merrill High School and moved to Appleton, where she went to beauty culture school. Through this beautician experience, she met her husband, John Dalke. They were married on June 18, 1960. They celebrated more than 61 years of marriage. Together, they raised two sons, Daniel and Keith.
Marcia worked at Fox Valley Technical Institute for many years until her retirement. Marcia was known as the hugger. She hugged every person that came through those doors every day. Marcia’s favorite saying was “I will have fun until the day I die.” She fulfilled her word. Marcia loved to cook and bake and fed many with her labor of love. She loved everyone and her cat.
She loved Christian Gospel Music and on Friday, Feb. 18, she sang very loud, ‘Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling.’ She said, “I feel His presence.” She often said, “I’m so glad we had a Christian mother.”
Marcia is survived by her husband, John Dalke; sons, Daniel (Sherri) Dalke and Keith (Gigi) Dalke; grandchildren, Jenifer Dalke, Luis (Hannah) Valenzuela, Gabriel Valenzuela, and Noemi Valenzuela; sister, Diane (John) Rell; niece, Jacki Standley; and several great nieces and great-nephews. Marcia was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Alice Hirnschall; and siblings, Robert Hirnschall, Marge Kapitze, Elliot Hirnschall, and Sharon Skeens.
To all whom loved and cared for her, and those who visited, Thank You.
The funeral service for Marcia will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Hillside Church, Merrill. Rev. Brandon Wade will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and again after 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 3 at the church.
A committal service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2022, at Highland Memorial Park-Chapel, Appleton. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the chapel.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.