Marian Josephine Evans

On Monday, October 12, 2015 Marian J. Evans passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on January 9, 1925 to Leona (Kanzelberger) Mrotek and John Mrotek of Two Rivers, WI. She met her one true love in the spring of 1940. It was love at first sight. In 1941 Ralph enlisted in the United States Marines. Surviving Pearl Harbor and the war in the south pacific, he came home to marry his blue eyed girl. After they were married they moved to Madison, WI where he and Marian opened a corner drugstore and started their family, they had 6 daughters, Ann, Mary, Barbara, Nancy, and twins, Joan Ellen and Jane Marie (Jane died at birth and Joan died in 1997).

In 1967 they sold the business and moved the family west where Ralph would become a National Park Ranger. Marian worked as a docent in the visitors centers at Petrified Forest National Park, and Canyon de Chelly National Monument. With her warmth and beautiful smile she met people from all over the world and enjoyed sharing her knowledge of the park.

After spending 6 yrs. In the Park Service they moved to Louisville, KY where Ralph resumed his career as a pharmacist. He and Marian enjoyed the warm hospitality of Louisville and made some dear friends. Yearning for the west they moved back to Arizona to enjoy their later life in their cozy cabin in Munds Park, AZ. They were very happy up there in the pines, Marian was a successful real estate agent and Ralph served as chairman of the board of the fire department. They felt the most at home in Munds Park with the love and support of their lifelong friends. In the fall of 2007, after Ralph’s diagnoses of Alzheimer’s, they moved to Tucson to be close to their children.

Marian is pre-deceased by her dear sister, Rita, twin-daughters, Joan and Jane, and most recently (June 2012) her beloved husband, Ralph. Survived by daughters, Ann (Michael deceased), Grandchildren, Christopher, Michael (Karen), Katie (Matt), Mary, Grandson, Corey, Barbara (Larry) and Grandsons Kevin and Andrew. Nancy, (Allen deceased), Grandchildren, Damian, Andrea and Kimberly. Great-Grandchildren, Lukas and Gabby, Zoe and Lily, Grayson and Bennett. And all her nieces and nephews. Heartfelt gratitude to Carondelet Hospice and all the angels who came to help.