Obituary of Marion Alice Pehling

Marion Alice Pehling passed away peacefully at Casa Grande Assisted Living Home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona on September 29th, 2015. Marion was born on March 30, 1918 to John and Olga Swenson in Delafield, Minnesota. Marion attended rural school through eighth grade, and in 1934 she graduated from Windom High School. She attended St. Olaf College from 1935-1937. She earned her teaching degree from Mankato College in 1939. After teaching in Echo, Minnesota for two years, she married George Pehling. During World War II, they lived in Warrenton, Virginia, where George was stationed. She did substitute teaching while there. After the war, she and George farmed in Waverly, Minnesota for 17 years, and she taught in Howard Lake, Minnesota for 6 years. Marion's great joy was working with children. She started a Day Care Center for severely handicapped children in Buffalo, Minnesota in the 1960's. In August of 1969, she, George and their two children, Barbara and Douglas, moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where she taught second grade at Smoketree and Starline Elementary Schools for 14 years. She taught Sunday School and assisted with Bible School for many years. She was a faithful member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Marion and her husband loved to travel in their retirement. They cruised the Panama Canal, they took trips to Norway, Germany, Alaska and New England to see the changing of the leaves. Marion was preceded in her passing by her parents and her husband of 68 years, George. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Malone and her husband, David; her son, Douglas and his wife, Rebecca; seven grandchildren, Shawn, Cory, Benjamin, Jordan, Andria, Monica and Ryan; four great-grandchildren, Isabella, Trevor, Audrey and Paige, along with numerous loving nieces and nephews. Marion will be remembered for her sense of humor, her love of life and her humble service to others. The family would like to say a sincere Thank You to Hospice of Havasu for the care and services that they provided to Marion. The family would also like to thank Casa Grande Assisted Living Home for the years of personal care and love that they gave to Marion. A small, family service with internment in the columbarium at Mount Olive Lutheran Church will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Marion's name to Hospice of Havasu, PO Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.