Marcellene G. Tonjes

Marcellene Gladys (Clatanoff) Tonjes, 94, of Pender, NE passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield, NE.  The visitation will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.  The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Pender, NE, with Reverend Robert Schilling officiating.  Private family burial will be held at Rosehill Cemetery in Pender, NE.  Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.  Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.  

She was born at home on a farm north of Howells, Nebraska on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1929, to Ben and Lizzy Clatanoff.  She was the youngest of eight Clatanoff siblings.

Marcellene (Marcy) was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended rural schools and graduated from Wisner High School with the class of 1948. After graduation from high school, Marcy taught school in the Wisner School District for three years. 

Like so many young people in rural Nebraska, Marcy socialized at the Howells Ballroom and that is where she met a young farmer by the name of Waldon Tonjes. After a short engagement, they were married on June 3, 1951. Their marriage was interrupted for a time as Waldon was called to serve in the Army during the Korean War. 

Together, Waldon and Marcy farmed south of Pender, primarily feeding cattle for the market. Marcy was a typical farm wife helping in the field, getting parts, and doing anything that was needed on the farm. She kept books for the farm operation. Due to Waldon’s great interest in flying, they purchased an airplane and would fly to cattle sales in western Nebraska, South Dakota, and Montana. They made many vacation trips with their airplane as well as driving trips. They loved the country scenery. Their trips spanned from coast to coast. 

Marcy loved her family and enjoyed cooking and baking. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were especially fond of her chocolate chip cookies, bars, and banana bread. She always had cookies on hand in case someone stopped by for a visit. Marcy enjoyed watching her great-grandchildren’s sporting events. She loved to give handmade gifts at Christmas, and everyone looked forward to receiving an embroidered dish towel. Marcy enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and for many years belonged to a bridge group.

Marcy was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Through the years, Marcy was a Sunday School teacher and an active member and officer of the church ladies’ groups. 

Those left to cherish Marcy’s memory are her daughters, Connie (Deane) Teut, Kae Kemerling, Carol Webster; grandchildren, Jill Teut, Kala (Joe) Featherstone, Denton Kemerling, Kelsi (Jay) Purcell, Apryl (Jason) Dolliver, Sherry (Joe) Carreau, Kyle (Richelle) Webster, and Kelly (Dave) Heinemeyer; great-grandchildren, Katie, Chase, Brooke Featherstone, Maya, Madalyn, Mayci, Myles Dolliver, Isabelle, Elliot, Emmersen, Everett Carreau, Maverick Webster, Beckham, Blake Heinemeyer; and sister-in-law, Doris Clatanoff.

Proceeding Marcy in death were husband, Waldon in 2007; her parents; three brothers; four sisters; and son-in-law, Jan Webster.