Marian F. Ryland Vahrenberg

VAHRENBERG Marian F. Ryland Vahrenberg, 91, died on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at the Ocean Medical Center, Brick, NJ. She was born on August 20, 1915 in Odessa, MO to Glen I. and Barsha Saylor Ryland. On June 5, 1938, she married August K. Vahrenberg at the home of her parents. They moved to Chillicothe, MO, where August attended the Chillicothe Business College. Together they made their home in Chillicothe for 47 years. He preceded her in death on April 5, 1985. After the death of August Marian continued to live in Chillicothe for another 13 years. Marian graduated from Odessa High School in 1933 and attended Central Missouri State University from 1933 to 1936, receiving a 60 hour teaching degree. She taught elementary education in Lafayette County Schools. She continued her education, graduating from Central Missouri State University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. Marian taught Special Education for 22 years at the Verelle Penniston State School in Chillicothe, MO from 1963 to 1986. Upon her retirement in 1986, she worked at the Livingston County Development Center for 13 and a half years. Marian moved from Chillicothe at age 83 to be near each of her daughters and their families in Kansas, Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee and New Jersey. Marian and her husband were charter members of Calvary Baptist Church in Chillicothe. She taught adult women's Sunday School Class for 25 years. She was a member of the State and Local Retired Teachers Associations. Survivors include her two daughters, Connie Kay Crawford and husband John, of Maryville, MO and Gayle Ussery and husband Jim of Brick, NJ; six grandchildren, John David Crawford and wife Diane, of Avon, Ohio, Elisabeth Biehle and husband Kevin, of Colorado, Rachel Crawford of Maryville, MO, Kelly Ussery-Kronhaus and husband Ken of Brick, NJ, Kyle Slusher of Kansas City, MO and Mindy Slusher of Brick, NJ; six great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Dortha Ryland of Lee's Summit, MO; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Hollis J. Ryland and wife Juanita and Laurence R. Ryland; a daughter, Rosanne Vahrenberg Slusher; and son-in-law, Paul; and two nephews, Larry Ryland and Stephen Ryland. A viewing and visitation will be held at the Husman Sparks and McDowell Funeral Home, 308 E. Main St., Odessa, MO at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2007. A graveside service will be held immediately following the visitation at the Odessa Cemetery.