Marcella J. Schabacker, 94, of Austin, Minn., died peacefully on Monday evening, May 20, 2013, surrounded by her loving family, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin.

Marcella Jeanette Sprague was born Oct. 13, 1918, in Edgewood, Iowa, to Frank and Josie (Willard) Sprague. She grew up on a farm in Arlington, Iowa, attending school through the eighth grade. She worked in an ice cream parlor, for Land O’Lakes and for the Austin Daily Herald, where she was assistant manager. On April 19, 1941, she was united in marriage to Fredrick Schabacker in Independence, Iowa. Upon moving to Austin in 1941, Marcella attended Grace Lutheran Church before becoming a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where she was active in WELCA. She liked to work in her flower garden, enjoyed reading, and attended TOPS meetings.

Survivors include her son, Terry Schabacker of Austin; daughter-in-law Debbie Schabacker of Midlothian, Va.; her daughters, Scheral Lau of Albert Lea, Minn., Wilma (Dennis) Peterson and Alberta (Orvin) Grunklee, both of Owatonna, Minn., Joyce Vesely of La Crosse, Wis., and Bernadine (Kenneth) Haydon of Eureka Springs, Ark.; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Catherine Odell of Arlington, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Josie Sprague; her husband, Fredrick Schabacker; son James in 2001; daughter Sharon; son Marvin in infancy; four sisters; and seven brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Glenn Monson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or to the State Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired at 300 11th Ave. NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.