Mariell (Mary) Waltner

Mariell (Mary) Waltner was born in Freeman, S.D. on 14 May 1980 to Keith and Sharon (Graber) Waltner. On Holy Saturday, 19 April 2025, she died by suicide in Chicago.

While a student at Freeman Academy, Mariell was active in athletics and music. She participated in Honors Choir, All-State Orchestra, Sioux Empire Youth Symphony and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. She appeared frequently as a guest vocal solo artist with the Sioux Falls Municipal Band.

Mariell was baptized in 1996 at Salem Mennonite Church where she remained a member. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethel College (KS) with majors in music and German, during which she was thrilled to have the opportunity to study in Vienna, Austria for a year. She pursued further study in Vocal Performance and Literature at the University of Notre Dame (Ind.) where she received a Master’s of Music degree in 2005.

From South Bend, Ind., she moved to Chicago, where she spent the next 20 years. She toured Taiwan and Eastern China singing opera and jazz crossover, culminating in a performance at Taiwan’s national concert hall at Chiang Kai-shek in 2010.

In recent years Mariell pursued training in life coaching with the Mindset and Quantum Energetics program. She worked with individuals, women’s groups, and businesses to cultivate a growth mindset and help these entities optimize their potential and human capital.

Mariell was dedicated to building community with people at the margins. She served at emergency shelters preparing food and presenting musical programs. She planted trees and flower bulbs for the city of Chicago. At Chicago Community Mennonite Church she participated in music, childcare, and kitchen duties.

“Tante Mariell” spoke freely about her lifelong struggle with bipolar depression. Many will remember her winsome smile and gregarious affect. She loved people fiercely and was a consummate encourager. She was talented, organized, creative, and an extremely hard worker. She could not, however, overcome her own deep pain. If it precipitates and normalizes authentic, honest conversation about the fragility of mental health, her death will not have been in vain.

Survivors include her beloved partner Kent Thomas, parents Keith and Sharon Waltner, siblings Tim (Laura) and Anne (Rolf Olson), 102-year-old grandmother Alice Graber, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews and many relatives and friends.

A musical celebration of life is planned for 7 p.m. on Friday, 8 August 2025 at Pioneer Hall on the campus of Freeman Academy, Freeman, S.D. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT,) Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA,) Freeman Academy, or Bethel College.