Marietha Elizabeth Jelle, Teacher Who Returned to the Classroom, Dies at 98

A trained educator who stepped away to raise her family before returning to the classroom, she inspired generations of students and passed on a lifelong love of learning to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Todd Klassy AI
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2 Min
Edited by Todd Klassy, AI
Marietha Elizabeth Jelle, Teacher Who Returned to the Classroom, Dies at 98

– Obituary courtesy of Zentner-Beal Funeral Home

Marietha Elizabeth (Ray) Jelle passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Complete Care at Maple Grove in Madison. Marietha was born in Kennan, WI to Victor J and Hazel (Beard) Ray on August 26, 1927. They relocated and settled in the Verona area where she graduated from Verona High School in 1945 going on to attend and graduate from Whitewater State Teachers College in 1948. After one year of teaching at the Mc Pherson School, she was married on June 8, 1949 to Obert D Jelle at the Perry Lutheran Church in Daleyville. After establishing their dairy farm and raising her children to school age, she returned to teaching in 1965 at La Follette Heights near Mt Vernon, and in 1981 at the Mt Horeb Primary building until her retirement in 1990. Her interest in quilting continued until shortly before her death, in addition to her lifelong passion of always learning and instilling that interest in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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