Date of Birth:
Thursday, March 31, 1932
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Age:
92 years old

Marian E. Chrysler

Marian Elizabeth Chrysler (nee Van Beers), of Rochester, MN, passed away January 8, 2025, at the age of 92. She was born in Faribault MN on March 31, 1932 – “almost an April Fool”, as she always said.  Her family moved to Rochester in 1940 where her father started an upholstery business. She attended St. John’s grade school and graduated from Lourdes High School in 1950. After working at the Mayo Clinic briefly, she and her other adventuresome friends set out for Washington D.C., where she worked as a secretary at the Pentagon and was a ballroom dance instructor at night. While in D.C., she met Dale Chrysler at a dance at the Army base where Dale was stationed. They were married in Rochester at St. John’s church in 1954 and moved to Frankfurt, Germany for Dale to complete his military service. Their oldest son, Steve, was born there. They had five more children and moved multiple times while Dale completed college and began his career.  After returning to Rochester in 1964, Marian raised her six kids who all attended the same schools she had herself.

Marian worked as a secretary for several businesses and nonprofits in the area. She was an active volunteer in school and church activities as well as with the March of Dimes, the Red Cross, and St. Mary’s Auxiliary. She was instrumental in starting Birthright of Rochester to support women facing unplanned pregnancies. Through Catholic Charities, the Chrysler family provided foster care for dozens of newborns until they were adopted. Marian put her own six children to work helping care for the beautiful babies. She and Dale enjoyed a happy retirement with travel and winters in Texas until Dale was struck with Alzheimer’s Disease. Marian was a stalwart caretaker for Dale for 10 years until his death in 2013.

Though she did not attend college, Dale always described her as having a PhD in common sense. Marian loved word games and puzzles. Her iPad was a trusty companion in her later years, where she played a mean game of Words with Friends and followed her family and friends on social media. She was a lifelong Vikings fan and had been enjoying this winning season.

She is preceded in death by her husband Dale, son Steve and his wife Muffy, and son Alan. She is survived by sons Dan (Jean) of Apple Valley, MN and Tim (Gayl) of Woodbury, MN, and daughters Kathy Chrysler of La Crosse, WI and Susan Chrysler (Gary Mortensen) of Elgin, TX.  She leaves 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by sisters Wilma (Arnold), Lorraine (Quandt), and Helen (King). She is succeeded by 16 nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 10:30 at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.  A visitation will be held Friday January 31, 2025 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Lourdes High School.