Formerly of Kenosha, Marjorie Richards Anthonsen, age 96, passed away January 12, 2024 in Green Valley, AZ, after a short illness. She was nearly a life-long resident of Kenosha and Racine. In late 2017, she moved to the Silver Springs retirement community in Green Valley in order to be near her son, Brad, and his family.
The following is the obituary written by Marjorie herself a few years ago:
Marjorie Jean Niemi was born on January 1, 1928 in Kenosha, WI to Arthur and Mary (Rannick) Niemi. On June 7, 1947, she married Roger K. Richards, Sr. at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Kenosha. Roger Sr. died May 9, 1987. On October 20, 1990 she married John J. Anthonsen at Messiah Lutheran Church in Racine, WI. John died April 28, 2007. She married Maurice “Moe” Zabel in Kenosha on August 16, 2008. Moe died June 20, 2017.
Marjorie graduated June 1945 from Mary D. Bradford High School as one of five valedictorians. She attended University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carthage College, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Parkside. She received an Associate of Arts degree from UW-Madison in 1969.
Prior to marriage she was employed at the Kenosha office of the Wisconsin Telephone Co. She retired from the University of Wisconsin Parkside in 1984 after fifteen years of employment. She enjoyed playing bridge, knitting, reading, dancing and traveling.
During the 1950s and early 1960s she was active in the Kenosha County PTA at the local and county levels. She was a member of Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Women's Club of Kenosha, Wisconsin Telephone Pioneers, Parkside Association of Retirees, Hi-Lo Dance Club and Friends of the Library-Parkside. She was a member of and Founding President of the Inner Wheel Club of Kenosha, and she was also a past Chairman of the Inner Wheel District 627 of Wisconsin.
Marjorie is survived by: two sons, Roger K. Richards, Jr. (Deborah) of Knoxville, TN, and Bradley J. Richards (Joyce) of Green Valley, AZ; two grandchildren: David Richards (Lauren) of Lenexa, KS and Beth Richards of Green Valley, AZ; and two great-grandchildren: Dylan Richards and Beau Richards of Lenexa, KS. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
A memorial service for Marjorie was held at Silver Springs on January 26, 2024. On February 2, Marjorie was laid to rest at West Lawn Memorial Park, Racine, WI beside her beloved husband of nearly forty years, Roger Sr.
Her many friends in Wisconsin would likely remember her as always a lovely lady – vivacious, intelligent and charming. Perhaps most importantly, her friends would remember her as always very active in community organizations, both social and charitable.
A special thank you to her nephew, John Niemi, who flew across the country to visit her in Arizona.
Published by Kenosha News from February 28-29, 2024