Marie Marske, 82, of Westport, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD, after a long battle with dementia and Alzheimer's.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 15, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Westport, SD, with Father Tom Anderson as celebrant.

Burial will take place at the church cemetery.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-6 p.m., Sunday, May 14th, at the church, followed by a liturgical wake service at 6:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass on Monday.  No visitation will take place at the mortuary.

Marie Kathryn Meyer was born November 12, 1934, in Powers Lake, ND to Lawrence and Josephine (Schmit) Meyer.  Marie grew up in the Tioga area of North Dakota, and graduated from Tioga High School as valedictorian in 1952. Marie earned a teaching license from Minot State Teacher's College in 1954.

Marie was united in marriage to Donald H. Marske on September 11, 1954 in Tioga, North Dakota at St. Thomas Catholic Church.  The couple first lived in Hankinson, North Dakota and later Brentford, South Dakota, while Don worked for various grain elevators.  They moved to Barnard, South Dakota in 1957.  In 1967, Don, Marie and their seven children moved 6 miles south to Westport, South Dakota.  Don and Marie lived there until his death in 1989.  Marie continued living in Westport until 2009, when she moved into Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Marie was active in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Westport.  She was a member of the Altar Society.  Marie was proud of her 35 years of teaching Sunday School.  She was an avid gardener and crafter, and loved to spend time outside regardless of the weather.

Marie attended virtually every extracurricular activity her children were in, which included sporting events, band events, all summer rec activities, and all teacher's conferences.  Marie could easily be found in the crowd just by listening for her laugh.  Her attendance continued through her grandchildren's events as they grew older.  Marie's proudest moments were seeing her seven children graduate from college.  

Marie was generous with her time and would offer to help at a moment's notice for anyone who would ask.  

Marie is survived by her seven children Coleen (Loring) Thompson of Hartford, SD; Dean (Marion) Marske of Aberdeen, SD; Julie (Bruce) Emo of Longmont, CO; Larry (Gracie) Marske of Cheyenne, WY; Kay (Harley) Baumeister of Hutchinson, MN; Ann (Kent) Zitzow of Perham, MN; and Lee (Brandi) Marske of Victoria, MN; grandchildren, Carissa & Trent (Jordy) Baumeister; Megan and Kallie Marske; Samantha Emo; Ashley & Daniel Zitzow; Dylan, Taylor, Andrew, and Ella Marske, and Emma Marske; great-grandchild Alex Baumeister; and sister, Lila (Richard) Meuchel of Bismarck, ND; plus many nieces and nephews.  

In addition to her husband, Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, LeRoy, and her daughter in-law Karen.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations be given in Marie’s name to Sacred Heart Church of Westport, Tieszen Memorial Home of Marion, SD or the Alzheimer’s Association of South Dakota.