Marian Prahl

Stoughton- Marian Prahl, 92, of Stoughton, passed away on May 24, 2023 after a brief illness.

Marian was born on March 8, 1931 to Ralph and Alice White in Lackawanna, New York.  After graduating from Chautauqua Central School in 1949, she went on to study at the University of Rochester, where she met her future husband Helmut Prahl.  They were wed in 1956 and had three children, Juliana, Walter and Ralph.

The family relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, and Marian interrupted her own education to provide income and raise the children.  Some years later she would resolutely return to school, completing her degree in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin in 1971.  She was then hired as a publications editor for the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Health and Human Services, where she spent a distinguished career developing print content for a host of state assistance programs.  Over the years her professional efforts served to educate and inform countless state residents about those programs.  She retired in 1994.

Retirement allowed Marian to pursue her other interests.  She loved playing the piano, collecting interesting rocks, making bead necklaces, and studying genealogy.  She was also an avid reader, with a special interest in sociology and self-improvement.  Last but not least, she played a mean game of Scrabble.  

Marian was unassuming, but always tried to do the right thing.  She never wavered in support of her children, helping them find their own paths and taking pride in their accomplishments large and small.  While neither a churchgoer nor associated with any denomination, she found guidance and inspiration in scripture throughout her life.  Her advice, repeated as recently as her 92nd birthday several months ago, was to “cherish the day”.    

Marian enjoyed the last several years of her life as a resident of the Kettle Park Senior Living community in Stoughton, where she received excellent care.  She was predeceased by her former husband Helmut and by all three of her siblings.  She is survived by her three children and by several grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Please share your memories of Marian by posting on her Tribute Wall at: www.CressFuneralService.com.

Cress Funeral Services

206 W. Prospect Street, PO Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244