Marian Alice Welterlen McClellan, 93, of Delavan, Wisconsin, passed away July 19, 2025 at Ridgestone Village where she lived for the last several months.
Marian was born June 26, 1932 in Edgewood, Iowa, daughter of Frank Edward and Gladys Day Welterlen. She spent her childhood enjoying small town life, always sharing stories of adventures in parks, farms, and spending time at the family Ford dealership, F. E. Welterlen Motors. After graduating from Edgewood High School, she attended Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, graduating in 1954 with a B.A. in Elementary Education. She was recognized in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society at graduation.
A chance meeting with Bruce and Betty McClellan, while working on 320 Guest Ranch near Big Sky, Montana, eventually brought her to Wisconsin and Swiss Croft Camp where she met her husband, John, whom she married in 1956. They celebrated their 69th Wedding anniversary on June 9.
Marian was a beautiful, selfless person. The love she showed was in finding something good in everyone and everything, and in service to humanity. She never allowed for an idle moment: she raised three children, cooked for years for the camp, and prepared the noon meal for the McClellan Farm Family. She loved gardening, knitting, music, nature, and helping others. Her oatmeal bread and Nana bars were beloved by most all who knew her. She could make just about any dessert from apples or rhubarb; her family was her taste tester group. In later years, she would deliver welcome afternoon treats to whoever was doing whatever around the farm.
She shared her love of books and teaching as librarian initially at East Troy, then at Delavan’s Phoenix Middle School for 15 years. Marian dedicated 37 years to the Aram Library as a founding member of Friends of Aram Public Library in 1987; in addition, she was a member of the Aram Library Board of Trustees from 1990-1995.
The Delavan Congregational Church (later United Church of Christ) family was an integral part of her life as she lived her faith, had many close church friends, and shared her beautiful voice for 66 years as a member of the choir. There were very few volunteer activities that she would not sign up to participate in. Most every church member would get to know her through her service.
An attempt to create a list of her activities outside of church would be incomplete at best. She helped with AFS (American Field Service) Fundraisers, worked at Congdon Gardens, supported Blessings in a Backpack, and cherished Monday Club book club.
During retirement, John and Marian enjoyed RV travelling around the country. Treks extended from Texas to Montana, North Carolina to New York, and included several trips to the Thunder Bay Dragon Boat Festival.
Marian will be missed by her husband John and their three children: Tom (June), Bob (Serena) and Cathy (Mike) Benton; six grandchildren, Erin (Keith) Baerwald, Emily (Paul) Dwyer, Creede McClellan, Willem McClellan, Sara (Ryan) Neir and Claire (Gannon) Potter; and five great grandchildren. Many other extended family members are blessed to have felt Marian’s love, while working together in the kitchen or garden, chatting while knitting, or just eating one of her meals.
Marian was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, F. Day Welterlen, and her sister, Margery Denison.
The McClellan family will host a Celebration of Life at the Delavan United Church of Christ-Congregational, 123 E. Washington St., Delavan on Friday September 26, 2025. The Visitation will begin at 9:30AM; the Service will follow at 11:00AM. A luncheon will be hosted afterwards in Cochrane Hall at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Delavan United Church of Christ or Friends of Aram Public Library. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Ridgestone Village for the wonderful loving care given to Marian during her time living there, and for putting up with the family’s daily visits.
To leave an online condolence, please fill out your message in the box below. You will then be taken to another screen which you can leave your name and email (No website URL needed). Simply comment as a guest and your condolence will be posted.
