Marie Loehne

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Marie was born July 16, 1918, in Adair County Oklahoma in Northeastern Oklahoma, as she said "on the Baron River", to Lettie Braswell and James Doyle. The oldest of four children, she was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on December 8, 1957.

Early in Marie's life she lived with her Aunt Mary and Uncle Ernie in Northwestern Arkansas; she was very fond of them. Throughout her life she was also close with her brother Bud and two sisters, Mary and Lee Ella. Marie enjoyed horse riding in her younger days. One of her favorite horse-riding memories was when she raced the mailman in his delivery truck – guess who won …

She came to what is now called "old Aurora" with her family when she was very young; her father worked for a nursery. After a number of years in the area, they moved back to Oklahoma with the rest of her family. Along with her mother and sister Lee, Marie moved back to Colorado and called it home.

Marie's first husband's name was US McCasland; they had three children: Joan, Billie and Joy. Their marriage ended in divorce after 10 years and in 1949, Marie married Orlie Loehne (also known as "Spike"). A young man from Michigan, he was a Purple Heart Marine who returned from World War II on an assignment in the Pacific. They met when Spike moved to Denver and was looking for a place to rent. Little did he know that when he knocked on that door to rent a room from Marie's mother that his life would be filled with 39 years of sweet memories with our dear Mother, Nanny, Friend and Soul Sister named Marie.

Together, they had one child named Diane, also called "Baby" or "Darlene". Sadly, Marie had a miscarriage a few years after the birth of Diane. Gladly, her sister Diane came into Marie's life in 1957 when Diane Dorothy, Spike's daughter, came from Michigan to live with them. Marie took Diane in as one of her own.

Marie worked most of her working days at Pagliaccis Restaurant where she said she carried spaghetti "a million miles" in her life. Pagliaccis in its day was an 'in" place where she got to meet famous people, including members of Colorado's professional sports teams such as the Broncos and various hockey, baseball and basketball players. One of her very favorite customers was Perry Como where Frank, the owner, would invite him to dinner with Marie and Spike when they came to town – she said Perry was a fine man. Perry, among others, was some of the many who asked to be seated at her tables. She was particularly fond of her regular customers who came to have a good dinner and "see the special lady", Marie. After a career filled with fond memories, she retired in the 1970's after the death of her son, Billie.

Marie loved to visit family in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Michigan and Kansas City. She and Spike moved into their home in 1959 in Aurora, CO and lived there until their passing. Throughout the 39 years she resided in her home, Marie spent time caring for her loved ones, her garden and her dogs, Tiny, Trissy, Bambi and Misty. She especially loved the spring and summer seasons where she could tend to her yard and grow beautiful flowers.

Spike departed from this world in 1988 after a long bout with cancer. Marie was most grateful for the support she received from Spike's family at the time of his passing.

Three weeks ago she was watching Billy Graham Crusade Classic on television. When the congregation received the call to come forward, Marie got up from the couch where she was laying down, slowly and cautiously walked over to the television, got down on her knees, repeated the prayer with Billy Graham and rededicated her life to Jesus. Then she kissed the television, got back up by her self and sat in the chair. It was a beautiful moment.

Marie dearly loved her family, her extended family and her friends; she has five children, eleven grand children, twenty-five great grand children and seven great-great grand children. She would be so very happy to see you all here today. She loved those that have gone before her and am certain her heart is filled with joy as she is reunited with them now. She was rejoined with her Lord Jesus last Tuesday morning at home, in her own bed, very peacefully and with loved ones by her side.

We have been blessed with Marie's presence for the last 89.5 years. Although she is at peace now, we will certainly miss her warm smile, kindness and big hugs from our dear Mother, Nanny, Friend and Soul Sister.
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