"I?m sorry to come across Marvell?s obituary so belatedly. Bryan, who I have not seen in many years, was my best friend growing up and I spent a lot of time at the Lanik?s house in Oak Lawn. Mardell (Mrs. Lanik to me) was always welcoming and treated me as one of the family. One of my favorite memories was when Bryan and I stacked the cards to deal her a very rare double pinochle. She was so excited she called the neighbors over to see it before realizing she?d been pranked. She had a great sense of humor though and we laughed about that for years afterward. My sincere condolences to the family. "
In loving memory of
Mardell Lanik
May 10, 1935 - June 14, 2020
Mardell Lanik, age 85 of Bryant, died Sunday, June 14, 2020, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after an on and off fight with cancer for over 16 years. She was born on May 10, 1935, in Norfolk, Nebraska a daughter of Walter and Edith (Christensen) Hagelstein. She married Larry Lanik on June 19, 1954, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo, Nebraska. They were partners, confidants and best friends for almost 66 years.
Mardell was a 1953 graduate of Wahoo High School. In high school she worked as a waitress at Wigwam Cafe in Wahoo.
In 1957 she moved to Chicago, then relocated to Oaklawn, IL in 1964 where and while starting their family. Mardell continued to serve others from waitressing to PTA President. She was honored and received a Certificate of Honoring Life Membership from the Illinois Congress of Parents and Teachers for faithful and devoted service rendered on behalf of children and youth in May of 1980.
Mardell became more involved with busy family duties as matriarch with five children hosting neighborhood backyard carnivals, Koolaid stands, school projects and more. She was a giver and a doer. Mardell was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles, her ladies Bridge Club, bowling league and playing pinochle.
She volunteered for Relay for Life after moving to Bryant in 2000, where she and Larry would spend the next almost 20 years, hosting most family functions and gatherings from Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays, graduations and more. She truly loved decorating, baking and cooking big family meals. Family would travel from Illinois, Missouri and Arizona regularly.
Mardell always made extra room and food for anyone who might come relative or not, expected or unexpected. Family always took priority. She was a selfless woman who cherished each and every family member and gathering.
Survivors in addition to her husband include two daughters, Lynette Lanik of Antigo, Denise (Jeff) De Los Monteros of Phoenix, AZ; a son, Bryan Lanik of Marshfield; a son-in-law, Chuck DiNaso of Oak Lawn, IL. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Shawn, Nicole (Chris), Bradley, Dawn, Kristina (Anthony), Mitchell, Amber, Jeffrey and Simone and 13 great grandchildren, AJ, Aaleigha, Ava, Aidan, Austin, Elise, Layla, Conor, Max, Miles, Mikey, Joey and Oliver.
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Debra DiNaso and Laurie Lanik, a sister, Muriel Hamm and a brother, Kenneth Hagelstein; a granddaughter in law, Alixx Lanik.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at St John Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bradley Funeral Home and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Tributes
"Mom , I miss you so much.
Love DD "
"Oh, Ma Z. So sad you left us, but happy your long fight is done. I remember so much about you; kindness always, hospitality, generosity & abundant love for everyone you met. I?m a bit biased as I?ve known you my whole life. The most vivid memory is you yelling up stairs to DeeDee, Cathy & myself, ?When are you going to stop making all that noise?? All we could do was laugh and I?m sure you chuckled , or at the very least smirked. Godspeed, Ma. You?re loved and will be immeasurably missed."
"Denise and Family, I have known you all for more than half of my life. I was welcomed by your Mom with open arms. She opened her home to me and treated me like I was her family. We shared many conversations about any and every thing... she knew more about me than I knew about myself. She was funny and so honest and no afraid to say it like it was. I enjoyed sitting and talking while she did her word search puzzles, and enjoying a glass of wine. Open kitchen to many meals (especially her huge pot of cheeseburger macaroni) and always made me feel welcome. I am so blessed to have known her and her family. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family. I love you Mom and you will be missed. Forever in my heart!?? Until we meet again......"