Marianne G. Toepke

MORTON - Marianne Gertrude Ruth Toepke was born on August 14, 1926, in Chicago, Ill. and our mom took her last breath on this earth on Saturday, June 5, 2021.

Summarizing almost 95 years of life is difficult to do.  She started her working career as an elevator operator at Marshall Fields on State Street in the 1940’s.  In 1946, she married Raymond Schweda Toepke and within a few years they relocated to Kankakee, Ill., and started a family.  During her years there, she was involved in the hospital auxiliary, learned to drive to shuttle kids around, hosted bridge clubs, took part time jobs and often handled three sometimes ornery kids on her own while Ray travelled for work.  The family relocated to Arlington Heights, Ill. in 1970, and shortly thereafter, she began to work in the catalog department at Sears.  She held that job for over 20 years and earned many awards from the company.  In retirement, she and Ray enjoyed cruises and their kids and grandkids.  She relocated to Morton, Ill., in 2007, a year after Ray’s death.  Here she enjoyed reading and spending time with her family.  As one who grew up during the Great Depression, she knew what it was like to go without; she was thrifty, but always made sure no one left her table hungry or her house without leftovers.  Her children, Dr. Tim (Dr. Pam) Toepke of New Lenox, Ill., Dr. Ron Toepke of Tucson, Ariz., and Karen (Scott) Hancock of Morton, Ill., along with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Gavin (Megan with Sienna and Jack) Toepke of Chicago, Ill., Carly (Max) Mikliszanski of Austin, Texas, Michael Toepke of New Lenox, Ill., Charlotte Watters Toepke of Birmingham, Ala., Micah (Joelle with Jedidiah) Hancock of Morton, Ill, and Derek (Kenzie) Hancock of Scottsdale, Ariz., will miss her.  One grandson, Brentin, and two great grandsons, Tirian and Ezekiel, preceded her in death. We are saddened the two great grandchildren to be born this summer will not be able to meet her. Per her request, there will be no visitation or funeral.  The family will have a celebration of her life at a date to be determined.  Burial will be at Acacia Cemetery, Norridge Ill.  Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Runners' Association, Salvation Army, or Compassion International. We would like to thank OSF hospice and especially her hospice nurse Heather and her aide Kameron for their continuous help and compassion these past few months.