Marian B. Gebhardt

Visitation for Marian Bernadine (nee Gronke) Gebhardt, 79, of Palatine, will be held at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Hwy., Palatine, on April 7, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with a special Service at 2:00 p.m.

Marian passed away at her home March 28, 2018. She was born on August 16, 1938, in Chicago, IL. Cherished wife to the late Thomas E. Gebhardt.

She was a dedicated mother to her girls, Amy (Heather Cook) Gebhardt, Jennifer (Chad) Westerlund, and Meg (Mark) Spears; grandmother to Matthew Sentman, Nicholas and Ryan Westerlund, and Maxwell and Mason Spears; beloved daughter of the late Walter and Myrtle Gronke; dearest sister of the late Caroline Rapp.

Marian was a devoted member of the Christian Science community, a talented musician/singer, and a dedicated supporter of the arts.  Faith, music, and education were the cornerstones of her life. Her musical career began in 1954 as a soloist for various churches throughout Chicagoland.  She graduated from University of Illinois in 1960 and began her career in teaching in Des Plaines, as an elementary school teacher, while continuing to perform in numerous lyrical organizations throughout Illinois.  Tom and Marian were married in 1965. Marian took a break from teaching for 10 years to start her family and returned to teaching music in the Cary School District, until retiring in 1994. Marian savored each day of her life and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.