MENDOTA - Marjorie Black Carroll, 96, of Mendota passed away March 3, 2021 at her home.

Private family funeral services will be on March 13 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Pastor Susan Presley of the First Presbyterian Church, Mendota officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery, Mendota.

Marge was born July 29, 1924 in Mendota to Robert S. and Florence (Oettinger) Black. She married James Soisson Carroll on June 27, 1946 in Mendota. They met while Jim was on leave from the Navy in 1944 and Marge was a student at Milwaukee-Downer. He preceded her in death in 2014.

Survivors include three sons, Robert (Emily) Carroll of Chicago, John Carroll of Denver, Colo. and Matt (Kristi) Carroll of Mendota; 10 grandchildren, Ian, Nick, Adam, Grace, Evan, James, Brooke, Frank, Megan and Bria; and 5 great-grandchildren, Marcus, Eugenia, Kaden, Billy and Grayson.

She was preceded in death by her husband and one daughter-in-law, Dr. Eugenia Carroll.

Marge was a 1942 graduate of Mendota High School. She also graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1946 with a degree in Fine Arts. Jim and Marge, along with four other alumni couples, attended every University Wisconsin Madison Homecoming football games from 1946-2003 (57 straight years). Marge was deeply involved in the community throughout her lifetime. She was Mendota’s first female city council member, served on the board of the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce and was one of the first Chamber Ambassadors. She was also the children’s librarian at Graves Public Library. She was a member of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society board, Mendota Community Hospital Auxiliary and First Presbyterian Church.

In 1998, Marge and Jim were recipients of the H.D. Hume Outstanding Service Award and in 2005, they were honored as Grand Marshals of the 58th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Parade. They were also named “Trailblazers” by the Mendota Museum and Historical Society. Marge was a member of the original Black family that immigrated to America from Lanark, Scotland and relocated their business in Mendota. The business evolved into the current Black Bros. Co., Mendota’s oldest family-owned manufacturing firm, founded in 1882. Marge served as corporate secretary for the company for 34 years.

Marge enjoyed spending time with her family, relaxing at their vacation home on Swan Lake in Portage, Wis. and traveling to many places around the world throughout her lifetime.

Memorials may be directed to Mendota Area Senior Services or American Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.