Marie Elfrieda (Rotta) Fowler

Marie “Mary” Fowler, 97, of Bemidji, MN died Wednesday, December 3, 2019 at Cedar Cottage, Bemidji.

Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 14, 2019 at St. Philips Catholic Church, Bemidji with Fr. Bryan Kujawa officiating. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements were entrusted to the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji.

Marie was born to Albert G. and Pauline (Jendritza) Rotta on August 19, 1922 in Fargo, ND. At the age of 6 the family moved to Perham where Marie spent her grade school days at St. Henry’s Parish School and graduated from Perham High School in 1940. After high school, she attended St. Benedict College for one year. She then went to Bemidji State College until October of 1943 when she enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE. She served her military time by attending boot camp at Hunter College, Bronx, NYC and then Yeomans School in Sweetwater, OK from February of 1944 until the end of the war. She was stationed at Port Hueneme, CA and discharged in February of 1946 at Great Lakes Naval Station, Chicago, IL. She returned to Perham where she married Chalmers “Chuck” Fowler at St. Henry’s Catholic Church on May 9, 1947. They moved to Bemidji in 1947 where they started their family. Four children were born, Diane, Karen, Ray and Mary Ann. Chalmers passed away on April 7, 1981. Marie was a lover of music (except today’s music). She spent about 20 years wintering in Mesa, AZ where she enjoyed the sunshine, warmth and making many friends. She was a true Minnesota Vikings fan since they trained in Bemidji in the 60’s. She enjoyed singing in high school and college acapella choir. She later sang with the 3rd Street Singers of Bemidji Senior Center. She also enjoyed solving crossword puzzles daily.

Marie is survived by her children, Diane Fowler, Maple Grove, Karen (Jim) Noonan, Stevens Point, WI, Ray (Linda) Fowler, Shakopee and Mary Ann (Dean) Thompson, Bemidji; seven grandchildren, Marcy (Jess) Frenzel, Bemidji, Aron (Sara) Fowler, Puyallup, WA, Katie Noonan, Chicago, IL, Patrick (Christeen) Noonan, Cary, IL, Bridget (Julie) Noobler, Chicago, IL, Ryan (Haleigh) Thompson, Fargo, ND and Jamie Thompson, Bemidji; 8 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ritta Rotta, Perham and many nieces and nephews.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Pauline Rotta; in-laws, Regina and Charlie Fowler; husband, Chalmers Fowler; brother, Albert Rotta; brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Eileen Bohne and Charley and Lois Fowler.

Special thank you to the staff at Cedar Cottage for their loving and tender care throughout Marie’s stay.

Memorials may be directed to St. Philips Catholic Church, Bemidji.

Guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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