October 27, 2024 – Hartford, Wi – Marcia Elsbernd, 83, of Hartford, WI, died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, October 22, at Horizon’s Lawlis Family Hospice, located at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Ozaukee, WI.
Marcia was born in Tolley, North Dakota to John Bauer and Mary (Zeltinger) Bauer. The delivering physician declared she was quite stubborn, as she came into this world shortly after midnight on January 2nd, and he was hoping Marcia would be his first New Year’s Day baby.
Marcia grew up on the family farm where she loved watching her father tend to the land, and the animals.
Marcia would later go on to graduate from high school where she grew up, in Tolley. She then attended Minot State Teachers College, securing a two-year associate’s degree. Marcia taught during the school year and continued her pursuit of her bachelor’s degree by attending summer college courses to complete her BA. Marcia went on to teach both general academics and special education at the Divide County Elementary School in Crosby, ND, and later taught Special Education at the high school level.
Marcia married Roger Raymond Elsbernd on June 5, 1962. Marcia and Roger farmed the family land raising crops and cattle. As the family grew to include two sons and a daughter, all hands pitched in. In 1971, the family welcomed Marcia’s cousin, Bill Bauer, into the farmstead family. After many years farming, Roger was called home in 1993, and Marcia continued tending the family home and managing the land.
After retiring, and more than 10 additional years on the farmstead, Marcia relocated to WI near her sons and their families.
Marcia and her family enjoyed evenings spent outdoors watching the stars come out, toasting marshmallows (she’d always eat the ones that got away from us), and playing with our numerous cats and dogs.
Although hard working, time was frequently set aside for travel to visit extended family throughout ND, WI, CA, FL, MT, and Canada.
After her children launched, additional travel included a European tour with her sister and brother-in-law, with whom she also traveled to Mexico. Marcia traveled twice to Germany, once with her sister, Florence, and once with a friend. Marcia also traveled to Ireland with her daughter, Mary.
In addition to her love of family, and traveling, Marcia enjoyed pets, art, writing poetry, music, nature, and wildlife. She also enjoyed gardening, particularly growing flowers. Marcia could revive a rootbound houseplant in 24 hours.
Marcia is survived by her three children, Bernard (Julie) Elsbernd, Helenville, WI; Mary (Fidelis) Elsbernd, Hartford, WI: Joseph (Amy) Elsbernd, Erin, WI; Sister-in-Law, Harriet Elsbernd, Ambrose, ND, and four grandchildren, Benjamin Sanidad, Hailey Sanidad, Catherine Elsbernd, and Cecilia Elsbernd.
Marcia was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Elsbernd; her parents, John and Mary Bauer; brother Michael Bauer; sister Florence Lautenschlager; bothers-in-law: Harley Deanne Lautenschlager, Leonard Elsbernd, Dale Granrud, William Brown and Arnold Beyer; sisters-in-law: Louise Bauer, Olivia Brown, Marie Granrud, and Catherine Beyer.
A small family memorial was held in late October of 2024. Burial will commence at St Patrick’s Cemetery north of Crosby, ND in spring/summer of 2025.
