Marian Lison

MADISON - Marian Jane Kehl Lison, a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, died at Sebring Living Assistance Residence on Tuesday morning, October 8th. Marian was the daughter of the late Charles L. and Ella Kehl. She was born in Green Bay on October 22nd, 1921. She attended St. Joseph's Academy, graduated from Green Bay East High School and was a student at Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, during the 1939-40 school year.
Beloved wife of Major General (Retired) James Jay Lison, mother of Kathy O'Neil (Pat), Peter (Christy), Susan Armstrong (Colonel James E.) and Joan Orchar (Dr. Paul), she devoted most of her adult life to nurturing and caring for her family.
Marian and her family moved from Green Bay to Madison in 1953 when her husband accepted employment at the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. An avid bridge player, she went door to door in her new neighborhood (Woodside Terrace - Togstad Glen) organizing an area bridge club. A second club, made up of members of Queen of Peace parish soon followed. Third and fourth bridge clubs developed when the family moved to a new home on Yosemite Trail in 1971. Although other members of all four clubs also left the Woodside Terrace - Togstad Glen area, almost all stayed with the club to which they had belonged, probably because of the great friendships that had been forged.
Marian was also a responsible for the organization of a Madison area Army and Air National Guard Officers' Wives Club. That club offered advice and support National Guard families and developed a number of community charity projects.
She was an active member of the Service League in Green Bay and of the Metropolitan Woman's Club Madison.
Blackhawk Country Club was the source of many memorable evenings and special events, until her physical condition made attendance difficult.
Marian will be sorely missed by her husband of 71 years, her four children and their families (12 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren).
Visitation is from 10am to 11am, Monday, October 14th, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison. A Mass of Christian Burial begins at 11am, followed by inurnment at Resurrection Cemetery with luncheon to follow back at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
Family suggests memorial contributions to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, or Sebring Living Assistance Residence if anyone wishes to remember Marian in that way.