Marcella Edith Quillin

MARCELLA EDITH QUILLIN

Waukon

Marcella Edith Quillin, 90, passed peacefully on Nov. 28, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon, Iowa.

She was born in Spring Grove, Minn., Jan. 31, 1928, to Ed and Jane (Reburn) Kubitz. The family soon moved east of Waukon and farmed on Sherman Ridge. Besides farming, she worked at the Soda Grill and Piggly Wiggly grocery store. During World War II, Marcella and her sisters worked in San Diego, Calif., at Consolidated Aircraft as part of the war effort.

Marcella married Ben Quillin on Sept. 26, 1949, at St. Patrick's church in Lanesboro, Minn. They settled in Harpers Ferry, Iowa. Marcella helped her sister-in-law, Kate, in the Quillin Cafe, while Ben was mayor and the local barber. Marcella was very proud that she was the first American Legion Auxiliary president in Harpers Ferry. Ben and Marcella raised six boys (Mike, Pat, Kevin, Tim, Terry and Sean) and one daughter (Molly), all of which are still living.

In 1965, the family moved to Waukon, where Marcella operated the Wigwam, a teenage hangout with pool tables, pinball machines, burgers and malts. Later, she operated the Buckaroo bar beneath the former Quillins Grocery store and worked at Northern Engraving for many years. Marcella was always busy in the garden or cooking in the kitchen. Cooking was her passion because it made her family and friends happy. Ben and Marcella loved to fish and could be seen on the Mississippi most sunny days.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ben; brothers, Bob and Bud (Allen); and sisters, Lavone, Betty and Donna.

She is survived by her sister, Marge; seven children; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a money memorial should be sent to St. Patrick's school or Good Samaritan Society, both of Waukon.