Marianne Margaret Werner

Marianne Margaret (Nord) Werner was born in Chicago, Illinois, the only child of Swedish immigrants, Helmer and Hanna (Nordin) Nord. She grew up on Chicago's South Side and graduated from Morrill Grammar School and Gage Park High School.

After high-school graduation, Marianne traveled with her mother to Sweden, spending the summer and fall of 1949 immersed in Swedish culture while living with relatives in the provinces of Värmland and Dalarna. This formative experience sparked lifelong connections, and Marianne treasured her relationships with her extended Swedish family throughout her life.

Marianne met Richard "Dick" Werner at a young age at Messiah Lutheran Church, the heart of the local Swedish-American community. The two dated before Richard's service in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and were married in 1953. Marianne loved becoming part of the large and lively Werner family. Together, she and Dick shared 60 years of devoted marriage and raised two children, Linda and Paul, who were the center of their lives.

Marianne worked as an executive secretary in downtown Chicago until the birth of her children. She later devoted herself to volunteer service, giving her time and talents to her children's activities, including their schools, Paul's Boy Scout troop, and Linda's 4-H club. Marianne was active in her church communities her whole life, serving in a number of roles and singing in choirs. Most of all, she provided a warm and nurturing home for Linda and Paul as they grew up and well into adulthood. Her loving nurturing continued as "Mormor" to her granddaughters and great-grandchildren.

Marianne is survived by her daughter, Linda Bury, and husband Robert, of Fort Collins, Colorado; beloved granddaughters Sara Ellis and husband David, of Boulder, Colorado, and Elizabeth Warburton and husband Michael, of Meridian, Idaho; and cherished great-grandchildren Liliana and Ada Ellis and Austin and Violet Warburton. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Marilyn Werner, many loving nieces and nephews, and her Swedish cousins Elsie Welin, Gerd Elvstrand, and Annika Nordin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hanna and Helmer; her husband, Dick; her son, Paul; and many beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law.

A lifelong Chicagoan, Marianne enjoyed her final years in Fort Collins, Colorado, with Linda and Bob and family. Her granddaughters and great-grandchildren were a constant source of joy and pride. Marianne lived a beautiful life of 93 years and was loved by so many, who all appreciated her thoughtfulness and kindness. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 6, at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 7800 W. McCarthy Rd, Palos Heights, Illinois. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by the service at 3:00 p.m. Guests are invited to wear a touch of purple, Marianne's favorite color. A private interment will take place at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery, Oak Lawn, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marianne's name may be made to:
• The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 7800 W. McCarthy Rd, Palos Heights, IL 60463
• Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2000 S Lemay Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525
• Or your local food bank