Marianna Katherine (Froley) Gengler joined "the love of her life" on October 12, 2024.

Marianna was born to William W Froley and Katherine M (Markham) on April 8, 1935, in Lead SD. When she was eight years old the family moved to Anaconda MT. When she was 12, she worked for her maternal Great-grandparents at a boarding house, cleaning rooms and helping with kitchen chores. She was excited to have earned a Patsy doll with handmade clothes. During High School she played French Horn in Pep Band and Concert Band, she was first chair. She worked weekends in the kitchen at the Tomahawk Golf Course and waited tables at the Lead Hotel and Cafe.

Marianna was the Freshman Homecoming Queen. She was two years behind Ronald Gengler in school and had a crush on him, but he was engaged. She remembers she was mowing the lawn when Ron drove by and they waved. Ron later called her and asked her out to the movies and for a soda afterwards. Two days later, they had dinner at the Halfway House Supper Club. Marianna felt an instant connection with Ron and after that dinner "there was no one else". They dated for one and a half years before getting married on Valentine's Day in 1953.

They lived in Lead until after their daughters Katherine and Debra were born. In September of 1956, they moved to Spartan Drive in Spearfish. Joel, Christopher, and Michelle were born into the family over the next seven years. Marianna never held a job outside the home after she married Ron, however, she always worked hard. Her home and her family were her priority. She always had a full house and an open door as the children grew up.

Marianna belonged to the Mother's Club, Extension Club, Church Band, and Choir. She and Ron sang midnight Christmas Mass when it was still Latin. They moved the family to a new home on West Jackson, in Spearfish, in 1966. They rented the lower level of the house to college students and always had extra people for holiday dinners and during snowstorms.

Marianna became a licensed daycare provider in 1969 and was a positive influence to many children and parents in the area. She commented that "Dad never knew how many children would be in the house when he got home from work." In 1973 Ron and Marianna moved to their home on Lourie Lane. They became Foster Parents and welcomed over 45 children into their home over the years. One of these children, Sarah, became their sixth child.

When some of Ron and Marianna's grandchildren were younger, they started a tradition of Wednesday dinners with just the children. Over the years the children brought friends along to the dinners. Even though some of the children had moved too far away to make the weekly dinners, the tradition was continued and Marianna looked forward to her Wednesdays with grandchildren by proxy, Emily and Sean.

Marianna and Ron belonged to a card club with mutual friends that met for many years. They also went out to supper clubs with live bands. Dancing was a great source of joy for both of them. Their children and grandchildren fondly remember watching them dance on many occasions. In their later years, Ron and Marianna met Tuesday mornings with their "old friends" for breakfast.

Marianna and Ron also enjoyed traveling. They toured the East Coast during the fall colors with many friends from their Card Club. They traveled to the West Coast; Marianna loved San Diego, and enjoyed a train ride though the Rocky Mountains. They spent many happy hours with Janie and Don Helmer on "road trips". For their 50th Wedding Anniversary, Ron and Marianna took the trip of a lifetime to Ireland. Their son, Joel and his wife Carol, were able to go with them.

One of Marianna's proudest and happiest accomplishments is that each individual grandchild and great-grandchild felt they were her favorite! The children, old enough to argue about it, each had specific reasons as to why they were "THE FAVORITE". This bantering was a great source of joy to Marianna. She would always just smile and say her job as a grandma was complete since they all felt they were each her favorite.

Each year, every child, spouse, grandchild and great-grandchild received a hand-painted birthday card with a personal note from Marianna.

Marianna lived a grateful life! She gave advice only when asked and complained very little. Never wanting to be a burden. She tried to accomplish something every day. Marianna included everyone she knew in her bedtime prayers. She was the strength in our family and demonstrated that most when our father was failing. She always said she wanted to live a "well-lived life." Because of whom she was she has lived a well-loved life!

Marianna is survived by daughters, Kather Killoren (Dave Brown); her children Ron (Aubrey) Hoard, Sara (Jim) Hadd, Jacob (Shelby) Halverson and Carianna (Neil) Anderson; Debra Wilder's children, Chad, Katy and Nicole (Kristian) Wilder; Michelle (Bryan) Clark; her children Lisa (Alex), David (Kari), Mikaila and Austin Zocco; and Sarah Gengler. Sons, Joel (Carol) Gengler; their children Sommar (Jon) Nelson, Tiffany (Paul) Graf and Patrick (Natalia) Gengler; Christopher Gengler; his child Erika. Great-grandchildren Aydin and Ronan Hadd, Blake Andrews, Savanna and Brianna Anderson, Donald Webb, Chance Wilder, Kellen and Jackson Wilder, Tate Batt, Kolson Hanna, Andrew, Aiden, Valorie and Eliesia Nelson, Andersen Gilles, Ryan, Haylee and MerciAnne Graf, Liam Topper and Maeve Gengler.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ron, daughter Debby Wilder and brother William Froley.

Mother collected many sayings and quotes during her life. These were wise and heartfelt assertions she felt helped her live a life of gratitude. This was one of her favorites, "At the end of life, what really matters is not what we bought, but what we built, not what we got, but what we shared, not our competence, but our character, not our success but our significance. Live a life that matters. Live a life of LOVE!"

Although Marianna will be deeply missed by those who love her, we know she will be waltzing with Dad in Heaven.

Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 AM on June 14, 2025 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.   Cards and memorials may be sent to Christopher Gengler and family at 3445 Higgins Gulch Road, Spearfish, SD 57783 to help offset the cost of a memorial bench.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com