Marian Theresa Pappenfus

MARIAN THERESA PAPPENFUS

September 23, 1929 – September, 22, 2023

Marian Theresa Pappenfus was born September 23, 1929 to Nickolas and Rose Bromenshenkel. Marian was born and raised in rural Stearns County, Minnesota, Southwest of Sauk Centre. Marian was the youngest of nine children born to Nick and Rose. Marian had six older brothers and two older sisters. Of these nine children, Marian was the only child Rose gave birth to in a hospital. The Bromenshenkel family farmed near Sauk Centre. The Bromenshenkel farms were modest and did not have electricity nor indoor plumbing.

Marian was born on the threshold of the Great Depression. As Marian grew from a toddler to a teenage, young woman through the 1930's and early 1940's, she developed the qualities and skills that she would use to great success the rest of her life. Marian learned the value and necessity of teamwork. Marian also learned how important it was to the team to be consistent and durable. These qualities and skills proved invaluable to her family, friends, community, country, and most importantly, her Lord.

When Marian graduated from high school, she immediately started work as a bookkeeper in Sauk Centre. Marian stayed in this line of work, in one form or another, for the rest of her life.

After WWII, Marian met a WWII veteran at a Birch Lake party North of Melrose, Minnesota. This man was Robert “Bob” Henry Pappenfus. Bob was enrolled, but struggling in his studies, (too much partying) at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Bob and Marian fell in love and it was this love that inspired Bob to complete the following two years of education in one year at Saint John’s University. Bob graduated and married Marian in 1949. Bob and Marian went on to obtain Bob’s law degree and start their family. To this union Bob and Marian had four children, David, Jhane, Mary Jo, and Tom.

Bob and Marian moved their family and started a law practice in Alexandria, Minnesota in 1957. Bob and Marian loved Alexandria and its people. Marian kept the books throughout the years for Bob and Marian’s businesses, which included the law practice, building and developing, rentals, and a two-generation farm near Plentywood, Montana. Bob always tipped his hat to Marian by saying, “The person who controls the books, controls the business!” Also, Marian often hand delivered payment of bills incurred from around town in running Bob and Marian’s businesses. Bob and Marian did not look at paying bills as a burden, but an opportunity to be loving people in the community. Marian continued working at the law office, to the best of her ability, until her passing. Marian also wanted to know how the harvest was coming on the Montana farm even as she was failing. Marian did not have to work in her later years, but she chose to work because of her desire to be a teammate and her love for people and community.

Marian was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. Marian was involved with the Our Lady of Mercy Hospital Auxiliary serving as President for one term, card clubs, bowling, skiing, hunting, numerous conservation organizations, including most recently, the Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited, and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, and enjoyed the opera and her crossword puzzles.

Marian died and found her Lord’s hand on Friday, September 22, 2023. Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Nickolas and Rose Bromenshenkel, her eight siblings, her husband, Robert “Bob” Henry Pappenfus, and grandson, Joseph Pappenfus. Marian is survived by her four children; David (Sandy) Pappenfus, Jhane Pappenfus, Mary Jo (Dave) Uhlenkott, and Thomas (Chris) Pappenfus; three grandchildren, Rachel (Randy) Roe, Daniel Uhlenkott, and Crystal (Ben) Salmi; and two great grandchildren, Bella Salmi and Emmalyn Salmi, and sister-in-laws, Mary Ann Polipnick and Carlyn Ellering.

Funeral arrangements are through Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, Minnesota. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2023, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday, October 9, 2023, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria, Minnesota with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. After mass, friends and family are welcome to come to the Elks Lodge in Alexandria, Minnesota for a luncheon and celebration of Marian’s life. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 11:00 a.m.

May Marian’s Lord rest her soul.