Mary Christenson Eberle

Mary Christenson Eberle, 75, died peacefully November 5, 2022. William (Bill) Eberle, her beloved husband of 53 years, was by her side. Mary was born in Detroit, Michigan to Florence (Susie) R. Christenson and Howard W. Christenson, and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a child she visited her maternal grandparents, Roger M. and Margaret H. Rogers, in Boulder in summers, eventually deciding to attend the University of Colorado, where she met her future husband Bill Eberle. She graduated with a B.A. in Geology in 1969, and returned to obtain an M.S. in Geology in 1983. After marrying Bill in July 1969 she made Boulder her home until her death. Mary worked briefly for Chevron Oil, then worked as a staff editor for Geological Society of America and managing editor for the Mineralogical Society of America. She also worked in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado in research support of NASA's Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS) for Profs. J. London and G. Thomas, before leaving to focus on freelance science editing and geologic interests. Mary had a lifelong interest in geology that culminated most recently in a research collaboration with Dr. Kevin Chamberlain (Univ. Wyoming) on dating an anorthosite outcrop in Virginia Dale in Northern Colorado. Their work was presented at the 2022 Geological Society of America Meeting in Denver in October. Mary was a Master Gardner, sharing knowledge, vegetables, and flowers with friends and family, and was a vocal advocate for planting, preserving, and protecting trees. She had an interest in politics and community affairs, and in retirement, she became an active proponent of Election Integrity, most recently volunteering with the Coalition for Good Governance. She loved sharing her interests and experience with others, especially geology and gardening. Mary loved hiking in the foothills and traveling with Bill to geological sites of interest, often in conjunction with the Geological Society of America annual and sectional meetings. They also traveled to visit friends and family across the country. Trips to Hawaii, Ireland, England, and Scotland were travel and geological highlights. Mary and Bill made a home for several homeless cats over the years. Mary enjoyed many friends from throughout her life and her many areas of interest, some from as far back in her history as second grade, and some more recently. Mary is survived by her husband of 53 years, William Eberle, her younger sister, Nelda C. (Bill) Wert, brothers-in-law Don (Pat Barry) and David (Diane) Eberle, nephews Justin (Nicole) and Brian (Kim) Eberle, nieces Mandy (Kevin) Montoya and Lyndsey Eberle, 3 grand nephews and 2 grand nieces. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Roger M. and Margaret H. Rogers and Carl M. and Lura E. Christenson, her parents, and brother Roger C. Christenson. Donations in her memory may be made to the Coalition for Good Governance (https://coalitionfor goodgovernance.org/) or the Cat Care Society of Lakewood Colorado (https:// catcaresociety.org/). A celebration of her life is planned for this coming summer.