Marcella I. (Petersen) Wix, 91

In Loving Memory of Marcella I. (Petersen) Wix

December 21, 1931- September 25, 2023

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Marcella I. Wix, in Sun City, AZ. She was 91 years old.

Marcella, better known as ‘Marcie’, ‘Momsy’, ‘Grandma Marcie’, or ‘Aunt Marce’, by those who loved her, was born and raised in Rockwell, IA, the fifth of six children. Although, if you said she was from Rockwell, she would respond with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and say she actually was from Cartersville.  Marcie was well known for her athletic ability, her musical talents, her fierce love of family, and most of all, her sense of humor. 

While attending Wartburg College, Marcie met her beloved husband, Frederick “Fritz” Wix, while both were members of the university’s choir. They were blessed with four children and were married for 15 years until a tragic accident took Fritz from his family. 

Marcie’s life was an active one. She excelled at multiple sports, participating in the Iowa High School Tournaments for basketball and softball. She learned golf as an adult while living in Parkersburg and despite health issues in her later years, she continued to enjoy it, even scoring a hole-in-one on three occasions, and all three while legally blind. Marcie shared her considerable musical talents in her church by singing in the choir and directing both the Senior and Junior Choir programs at Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg. Marcie was well known for her sense of humor, and it was her daily mission to provide laughter to those around her.  She loved to play practical jokes on unsuspecting family, friends, or new neighbors as a welcome. Marcie was exceptionally creative with her pranks, especially on April Fool’s Day. She made birthday cakes with a balloon hidden by frosting, so when cut, the balloon would pop and collapse, she made school/work lunch sandwiches with the plastic wrapper still on the cheese slice, and various other practical jokes throughout the years.

Marcie always worked hard to provide for her children. Marcie worked in various administrative roles. She knew shorthand and typed over 100 words per minute. She and the kids worked many summers detasseling and other types of field work. By example, Marcie instilled a strong work ethic into her children. Marcie and Fritz emphasized education and she was most proud of the educational achievements of her children. 

Marcie’s children would like to especially thank her dear friends, Bruce and Sharon McQueary of Peoria, AZ, for their unwavering love and kindness shown to her throughout their friendship.

Marcie was preceded in death by her first husband, Fritz, her parents, her five siblings, her daughter, Felecia, and her spouse, Dale Erickson. She is survived by her children, Kurtt and DeeDee Wix, Mark and Barbara Wix, and Janna Wix, as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

Despite the many difficulties and losses Marcie endured in her life, she maintained her sense of humor and remained committed to her faith and found comfort in it, raising her children in a religious and loving home. Her passing leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives, but we take solace in the countless memories, lessons, and love she shared with us. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockwell, IA on Saturday, April 20th at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Hospice of the Valley located in Phoenix, AZ in honor of Marcella I. Wix.