Marcella Udelhofen

Marcella M. Udelhofen, 90, of Platteville, Wisconsin, passed away on February 24, 2019, with her family by her side. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. Fr. John Blewett and Deacon Bill Bussan will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville, at a later date. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the mass on Saturday at the church. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory of Platteville is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Platteville Senior Center or to the Schools for Haiti Mission. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

The youngest daughter of Edward and Emma (Duve) Flesch; she was born on February 26, 1928 in Potosi, Wisconsin. Marcella graduated from Potosi High School in 1945. One November 12, 1946, she married Raymond J. Udelhofen and they began their life together on his family farm in Cornelia, WI. They farmed for more than 36 years before moving to Platteville in 1982. Marcella loved playing card games of all sorts, as well as, playing cribbage and bingo. She also enjoyed trips to try her luck at various casinos both near and far. Among her hobbies were reading mystery novels, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and quilting for which her family were the beneficiaries of her creative talent.

In her later years, the causes and concerns of fellow senior citizens of the Platteville area became her passion. She was a regular attendant and active participant in the activities at the Platteville Senior Center. She served on and held various offices in both the Commission on Aging and the Senior Citizen's Association for many years; advocating vigorously for the needs of the Platteville area seniors. She also served as a member on the Nutrition Council and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville.

Marcella was the mother of four children, Connie (Mike) Gehrke, Margaret (Gary) Klar, Thomas, and Dennis (Kathy) Udelhofen; eight grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; five brothers; three sisters; son, Thomas; and daughter and son-in-law, Connie (Mike) Gehrke. Marcella is survived by son, Dennis (Kathy) Udelhofen, daughter Margaret (Gary) Klar; brother, Gerald (Nancy) Flesch; sister-in-law, Lillian Flesch; she is further survived by her grandchildren and nieces and nephews.