Marcella Marie Briol

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Marcella Briol, 91, Freeport, was held at 11:30 AM on Monday, October 10, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Fr. Dan Walz officiated and burial followed in the parish cemetery. Marcella passed away late Wednesday evening at the Pine Villa in Melrose with family at her side.
Marcella was born on July 28, 1925 to Louis and Frances (Wiewel) Ferrian in Sauk Centre. She grew up with seven siblings and graduated from Sauk Centre High School. Marcella joined the US Cadet Nurse Corps at the St. Cloud Hospital School of Nursing. On May 30, 1945, she married John Joseph Briol at Fort George Wright in Spokane, WA and their union welcomed three children. Marcella worked for the US Postal Service for 27 years and retired as Postmaster in 1986. She enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge, and loved tending to her rose gardens. Marcella was instrumental in starting a Red Cross Blood Drive in Freeport and was a member of the National Right to Life, MCCL, ProLife Across America, and the VFW Auxiliary. Marcella served on the Diocesan Parish Council (Melrose Deanery), as well as two terms on the Sacred Heart Parish Council. She was an active member of Sacred Heart Church in Freeport, the Christian Mothers, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Marcella is survived by her children Kathleen (Melvin) Klasen, Melrose; Judith Briol, Freeport; John Briol, Sauk Centre; her sister Agnes Grundmann, Villard; grandchildren Audrey (Marti) Van Beck, Ellen Klasen, Anthony (Julie) Klasen, Michael (Randi) Kalsen, and 10 great-grandchildren; as well as many other family and friends.
She is greeted in Heaven by her husband John Joseph Briol, who passed away October 2, 1972, her parents Louis and Frances Ferrian, her siblings Stella Brees, Leona Hendrix, John Ferrian, Walter Ferrian, Andrew Ferrian, and Cecil Ferrian, and her infant granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Klasen.