Marshall Thomas Dresser, Prairie Du Sac, WI  (1925 - 2009)

September 1, 1925 - June 8, 2009
Marshall Thomas Dresser, 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2009, at his home. He was born on Sept. 1, 1925, in Janesville, WI, to Merle and Bertina (Osterhus) Dresser. Marshall graduated from Edgerton, WI High School. He, then, enlisted in the Navy and served on the battleship Nevada from 1943-46. Following his service, he enrolled in Madison Business College, where he met the love of his life, Ruth H. Brunsell. They married on Oct. 15, 1948, and enjoyed 60 plus years of marriage. Together they worked in the grocery business until 1961. The remainder of his working career centered on working as a sales representative for Beech-Nut Foods and the Nestle Company until his retirement in 1989.
During his working years and particularly during his retirement, he enjoyed watching his family grow, especially his 13 grandchildren and great-grandchild. He enjoyed traveling with Ruth, going out to eat with friends, following the Packers, Brewers and Badgers and checking out garage sales to indulge his passion for collecting Mickey Mouse memorabilia. He also enjoyed bowling, football pools and old movies. He was an active member in the community with Lachmund Cramer V.F.W. Post #7694, St. John's Lutheran Church, and a Friday morning Bible study. He loved working on home maintenance "projects" especially when he could involve unsuspecting friends and family members.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Marshall Dresser leaves behind his wife, Ruth; sons, Robert (Vicky) of Wisconsin Rapids, and Larry (Phyllis) of Prairie du Sac; daughters, Barbara (Robert) Dederich and Becky (Dean) Johnson of Sauk City; grandchildren: Aaron, Todd, and Noah Dresser, Erin, Michael, Chelsea and Matthew Dresser, Benjamin (Brianna) Dederich and Garrison Dederich, Karissa (Jacob) Mundt and Tarren Johnson, Emily and Janae Handel; great-granddaughter, Madison Roland, an aunt, Helen Nichols; brothers-in-law, John and Rollo Brunsell; and a sister-in-law, Edith Schueler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Thomas; an infant daughter, Bonnie Dresser; a sister, Muriel (Kenneth) Oimoen; and a brother, David Dresser.
Pastor Fred Rilling will preside over the funeral service held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2009, at ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, Prairie du Sac, WI, followed by a VFW military honors ceremony. A private family burial will be held at Jenson Cemetery in Edgerton, WI. Family and friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, and from 10 a.m. on Thursday until time of service.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Tony DeGiovanni, Dr. John Koch, and all the wonderful staff at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital for Marshall's care.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be given to Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital or St. John's Lutheran Church.
HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, 608-643-6430, is assisting the family. www.hooversonfuneralhomes.com