Obituary of Marcie Ann Roahen

This world lost one of its most graceful women with the passing of Marcie Ann Roahen, 62, on Sunday, October 21, 2012. It was a glorious autumn afternoon, a perfect one for cycling, one of Marcie�s favorite pastimes. Marcie died at home, with family, eleven months after being diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. Born September 27, 1950, in Watertown, WI, the former Marcie Wood lived in Fort Atkinson her entire life, 42 of those years with her husband, David �Fud� Roahen. They raised two daughters, Sara and Stephanie, with as much love and laughter as one family could possibly generate. The girls� close childhood friends still remember how most Sundays were �family days,� reserved for just the four of them. Spending time with family continued to be a priority throughout Marcie�s life. Even as the girls married and started their own families, they traveled together-to favorite spots like Jackson Hole, Santa Fe, New Orleans, Russian River Valley, and Door County, where the entire brood celebrated life together during a final trip in July. Marcie had four grandchildren-Kai Roahen (7), Nina Louise-Ann (4), and Julian Marcel Harrison (10 months), and Roahen �Tibo� de Schutter (3)-and she remained actively involved in their upbringing, rarely letting a month pass without a visit even when they lived as far away as California. �Meecie,� as the grandkids call her, had boundless love and energy for the little ones, reading to and dancing with them right to the end. Marcie valued family and friendship above all else. She took a deep, genuine interest in everyone she met. And she never missed out on a spot of wine with any and all of her fabulous friends. Frivolity with �the girlfriends� was a joy to behold. �The bad one,� Marcie was always the first and last one to toast, to dance, to laugh. Marcie also reveled in exercise and spending time outdoors. How many mornings was she out of the house by sunrise? How many phone calls did her daughters and grandchildren receive about the fullness, the color, the brilliance of the moon? How many flowers did she nurture into bloom? How many horseback rides did she long to take? Aerobics with Fran, a run, a swim, cross-country skiing, Pilates, hiking in wonderful Carnes Park almost every day throughout her six months of chemo-she basked in the glory of exercise and being outside. She felt healthiest and most peaceful when on her road bike, her beloved Gunnar. Fifty milers with Biker Jeannie were her favorites. She would return from rides exuberant, from the adrenalin and from the beauty of the Wisconsin countryside. Surviving are her husband; two daughters, Sara Roahen de Schutter (Mathieu) and Stephanie Roahen Harrison (Nathan), both of Louisiana; four grandchildren; two sisters, Judy Hack (Dave) of Fort Atkinson and Nancy Wendorf (Larry) of Edgerton; and many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Wood and Vaneta Schumacher; by her dear stepfather, James �Pop� Schumacher; and by a niece, Jeanene Roethel King. Marcie sometimes seemed to live as if life was a race, and now we know why. She has charged up this final hill ahead of us (as usual); we will hang tough until we can join her to coast down the other side. The memory of this beautiful mother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend will forever bring a smile to the face and a glow to the heart of all who knew her. Cancer took her life but never touched her spirit. Ride like the wind, Marcie. Ride like the wind. Memorial Services�will be held from 1-4PM on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. A short memorial service will held at 1PM followed by a time to gather with the family and remember Marcie. Those planning and expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial in Marcie's name to Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson, WI.