Marion Elizabeth Gehrls

Marion Elizabeth Gehrls, 97, of New Liberty, died Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, at Courtyard Estates in Walcott.

Marion was born Jan. 2, 1915, to C.E. and Ada (Owen) Chapman in Cedar County, Iowa. She graduated from Tipton High School in 1933 and from the Tipton Junior College. She married Raymond Charles Gehrls on Nov. 28, 1940, in Tipton. Ray preceded her in death on Oct. 14, 1998.

Marion taught in Cedar County Country Schools for seven years, before her marriage. In the 1950s she began teaching piano and organ to students in her home and continued to teach into the 1990s. Several of her students continued with careers in music.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Purity Chapter, Wilton, Iowa, the Bennett School Workers and the Durant Lioness. She enjoyed gardening, the arts and her students.

A remembrance gathering will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Bentley Funeral Home, Durant, with a sharing of memories at 6 p.m. Supper will be served following at the Durant Community Center.

She is survived and lovingly remembered by her son, Randall and his wife, Janet Gehrls of New Liberty; her brother-in-law, Joey Gehrls of Durant; and several nieces and nephews and many acquaintances she made throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her sister, Marjorie Chapman.

Memorial donations may be made to Durant Lioness in her memory.

Online remembrances and condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 5, 2012.