MARIE L. BELLOWS, 84, formerly of 1140 Pershing St., died Saturday, May 26, 2001. She was born November 17, 1916 to Russell and Irma (Mertes) Whitwam in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was a graduate of Eau Claire Senior High School.\r\nMarie married Lawrence "Larry" William Bellows on June 11, 1935 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Eau Claire. They lived an earnest life, first operating the Augusta Standard Station, then worked at the bakery and Wagon Wheel in Beloit and finally retiring after twenty years of owning and operating the Mt. Simon Grocery Store. Marie was a long time member of Sacred Heart Parish and its St. Ann's Society.\r\nSurvivors include her son, Donald (Barbara) Bellows of Loves Park, IL; three daughters, Donna (George) Hippman of Miami, FL, Ann (Richard) Soley of Eau Claire and Nancy (Michael) Soley of Hartford; one brother, LaVerne (Lavonne) Whitwam of Eau Claire; seventeen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Carl (Gloria) Hort of Eau Claire; and many nieces and nephews.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Larry in 1978; a grandson, Allen Frint; long-time companion, Gordon Swanke and fourteen siblings.\r\nMarie valued love of family, God and fun in all that she did as a devoted daughter, beloved wife, wonderful-loving mother, tender grandmother and compassionate sister. Her soul is at rest, but her spirit lives on. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2001 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Janusz Kowalski officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends and family may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church. There will be a 7 p.m. public prayer service led by Sister Catherine Manning O.S.B., Wednesday at the funeral home.

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