Marcella Helen Whaples

Marcella (Sally) Whaples, age 94, passed away peacefully at Athenian Living in Athens on August 26,
2025, surrounded by family.
A mass of Christian burial will take place at 12:00 pm on Friday, September 5, 2025, at St.
Anthony Catholic Church, Athens, with Father Graham presiding. Visitation will take place at the
church from 10:00 am until the time of services. Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting with
arrangements.
Sally was born on March 6, 1931, the daughter of Dorothy Weiler Schug, and raised on their farm
by grandparents Sebastian, Sr. and Margaret Weiler. Sally attended VanBuren School, St.
Anthony's Catholic School and Athens High School. In her younger years, Sally worked as a
waitress in Milwaukee for a short time, then at Badger Basket in Edgar for many years, before
progressing to a career in insurance in 1969, working at Haderlein Agency in Abbotsford for 24
years. After managing the agency for a short time when it was sold to Abby Bank, Sally purchased
the Stack Anderson Agency in Colby, which she operated with her husband Howard until they both
retired in 1996. She then enjoyed spending time with friends at Cranberry Lake, Eagle River, and
playing cards. Sally enjoyed bowling, becoming the president of two bowling leagues in Abbotsford.
She traveled to many bowling tournaments with her team.
In her younger years, Sally was a 4-H leader in the Town of Bern. After retirement, Sally
volunteered in the office, and was president of the Altar Society at St. Bernard Catholic Church in
Abbotsford. She took joy in her Christian faith, and gave communion to patients at St. Joseph's
Hospital in Marshfield. It was important to Sally that her family gather for Christmas and other
special occasions at her house, and she enjoyed every bit of time spent with them. She will always
have the reputation of making the best rhubarb dessert and rhubarb strawberry jam.
Marcella is survived by her children, Claude (Susan) Kreft, Glen (Florence) Kreft, and Gary
(Sharon) Kreft; grandchildren, Patrick (Diane) Kreft, Kristi (Mick) Lauterbach, Paul Kreft, Melissa
(Josh Blake) Sinha, Dustin Kreft, Travis (Jennifer) Kreft, Waylon Kreft, Jared Kreft, Chris (Kim)
Woller, and Jessica Dole; great-grandchildren, Kira, Allison, Kaylee, Taylor, Christopher Jr.,
Sabrina, Elizabeth, Alex, Felicia, Faith, Priscilla, Vickram, Vaishali, Bodi and Skyler; as well as her
siblings, George Jr, Caroline, Pat, JoAnn, Dottie, Delmer, Bob, Sherry, and Pearl. She was preceded
in death by first husband and father of her sons Jerome Kreft, husband Howard Whaples,
grandparents Sebastian Sr. and Margaret Weiler, Mother Dorothy Weiler Schug, brother Delbert,
grandson-in-law Salil Sinha, and great-grandsons Dylan and Scott.
Sally's family appreciates the excellent care provided to her by Athenian Living, and the faithful
friends and family who visited Sally while she resided there. Also, many thanks to St. Croix Hospice
who offered kind and professional care to Sally in her final days.
Family and friends may visit MWCS.WS to leave words of condolence.