Sears, Marie

Marie Agatha Sears passed away Monday evening August 14 th in her apartment at Aster Assisted Living in Clintonville.

She was born to Charles and Margaret (McKenzie) Bozile, just outside Clintonville, Wisconsin on March 24 th 1923. She survived ten siblings and lived to over a hundred years old. With the exception of a single Scottish Canadian line, both her maternal and paternal ancestors date back to French Canada in 1613. During the English raids of 1837, both sets of Great-Grandparents fled from Canada to New York and Vermont. Her grandparents moved from New York to Ripon in Wisconsin and later settled in the, since abandoned, village of Little Wolf near Manawa in 1869. During her childhood, Marie moved with her family throughout Northeast Wisconsin as her father pursued his livelihood as a stone mason and brick layer, building stone foundations for the many surviving barns that enrich our landscape today.

During the Great Depression, her parents sent Marie--as was common among families in those hard times-- to live with a sister in Milwaukee where she met and later married the brother of her sister’s husband, Robert P. Sears in July of 1941. In her 100 plus years, Marie demonstrated a great propensity for creativity; from being a strong seamstress who designed and sewed curtains, costumes and every day clothing for her children, to creating fantastically decorated cakes and cookies. Most notable however was her production of bas-relief carvings.

Over many decades, until Robert passed away in 2001, he and Marie each amassed an impressive portfolio of wood carvings. While Robert created birds and waterfowl, Marie carved wildflowers and other natural plants. Marie was unusual as one of those persons who could move tirelessly from one activity to another without a break. She was constant in caring for her four children, always going that extra step by adding interesting touches to their needs when young. As they grew older and showed unique personal interests, she supported them in those interests.

Survivors include her daughters: Marie (Mike) Siegrist of Las Cruces, NM, Lucy (James) Putnam of Clintonville, Eva (former spouse Brian) Burnett of Clintonville; son Geoffrey (long-time significant other, Ann) Sears of Milwaukee; grandchild Brandon (long-time significant other Amanda) Burnett of Beaver Dam; great-grandchildren: Christian (former significant other, Makayla) Hiller of Wausau, Racquel and Evan Burnett of Beaver Dam; three year old great-great-grandson Nikolai of Wausau; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Preceding her in death were Marie’s Spouse, Robert; grandchild Rebecca (former spouse RJ) Hiller; ten siblings: Lucille who died as a 9-year-old in 1926, Harold, Norma, Clifford, Margaret, Leona, Joseph Charles (AKA Bert}, Irene, Lorraine and Elaine; her parents Charles and Margaret Bozile; and dozens of ancestors and extended Canadian family members buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Special thanks go to daughter Eva who, for years, provided loving care and companionship for Marie. The director and staff of Aster Assisted Living gave exemplary support during Marie’s six years of residence, especially during the last year, as did the hospice nurses. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Manawa at a date to be determined. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting her family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com