Marjean Louise Whitson Lenert

Marjean Louise Whitson Lenert of Springfield, VA, died peacefully in her Greenspring home, at age 90. Schatz (treasure), as she was endearingly referred to by family and close friends, was born on February 15, 1935, in Aurora, Illinois, to Benjamin and Jane Whitson. She was the eldest of five siblings.

Marjean excelled in school. She was also active in sports, gymnastics, dance and music, and was an attentive big sister to her three younger brothers and sister. It was through the camaraderie with her brothers that Marjean first met her beloved husband Dick, who died recently as well.

In high school, Dick pursued Marjean for a bit, and the family enjoys hearing stories of her date with famed singer Eddie Fisher, or the double date where she was helping set up her friend with Dick. That didn't last long, and Marjean and Dick began dating shortly thereafter.

In 1953, Marjean graduated from West Aurora High School. In keeping with her Norwegian heritage, she attended Lutheran-founded St. Olaf College of Liberal Arts, in Northfield, Minnesota. There she studied for two years, before transferring to Beloit College, in southern Wisconsin. She graduated from Beloit in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and set off to start her career.

Marjean returned to Aurora after college and taught middle school English and Spanish classes. After a couple of years, she and her dear college friends moved to Colorado, where she quickly made new friends, skied, enjoyed the outdoors, and continued her teaching career. She and Dick had courted throughout college, and continued on through this time in Colorado.

In June 1960, Marjean and Dick were married in Aurora and soon moved to Virginia, settling in Falls Church. Still driven by her love of children, teaching, and serving, Marjean went to work as a teacher at the original Fairfax High School.

In 1961, she and Dick welcomed Jeff, the first of four children. That fall, the couple, steadied by Marjean as a new mother and homemaker, moved to Hof, Germany, where Dick had an 18-month assignment. Shortly after returning to the states, Marjean gave birth to a second son, Keith, in 1964. Three years later, the Lenerts, now a family of four, settled in Annandale, just in time for the birth of daughter Laura. Their third son, Mark, completed the family, in 1968.

There, in Annandale, the Lenert family established itself as one of the founders of Wakefield Parish and became known and respected by their neighbors as pillars in the community for the next 52 years.

As the children grew, Marjean stayed active. She managed the family's home and her children's schedules for school, sports practices, music lessons and scouts, finding time for exercise, walks, and caring and sharing with friends and neighbors. She was involved in various bible study groups, hosted a weekly neighborhood prayer group, and had regularly scheduled prayer phone calls with friends across the miles.

Marjean found great joy in sharing home and life with others. Her warm reception always graced the door of the Lenert's home. Guests were welcome for meals, holidays, and sometimes to live with the family.

As the children aged, Marjean enjoyed working in Belle Maison, a snazzy gift shop in Old Town Alexandria. She also worked as support staff at the Minirth Meier counseling clinic.

Marjean loved God, and she loved people. Her steadfast faith permeated those around her and was contagious. She brought a guiding light, a foot path, and a hand to hold, whatever might be the situation. She was fully committed to marriage and the values of truth and honesty that both shone through her like a beacon and set an example for those that built lasting relationships with her. Her life bible verse reflects how she aimed to live: ""But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."" 2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV).

Schatz was indeed one of a kind. Dick and others would endearingly say, ""For Marjean there are two kinds of people: friends, and those she hasn't met yet."" She always provided thoughtful, caring, and engaging interactions and brought a personal touch especially for you, making sure you knew how special you were, and that she loved and cared for you.

Faith, family and fellowship were cornerstones of Marjean's life. She and Dick practiced their faith openly, in several different churches over the years. They read the Bible from cover to cover, traveled to Jerusalem, served eight years on a parish leadership team, tuned in to ""Focus on the Family"" radio for years, and were active in Bible studies.

After Dick passed, Marjean cherished the fellowship of those with whom she had developed lasting friendships and relationships through the years.

Always generous with her time, talent, and treasures, she would prepare a meal, work on a project, garden, listen, pray, offer wise counsel, provide a specially chosen gift, and care for friends and family. Time with her grandchildren was always extra special. She saw the best in people. Her welcoming, joyful demeanor, interest and concern were authentic and obvious. She was devoted to Dick and her love and gratitude for him, her family and others was evident in all of her days.

Marjean was interested in reading, languages, theater, travel, music, hospitality, games and crafts. She reveled in time spent with family, throughout all the trips, reunions, holidays, activities, games and events that were meaningful to those she loved most. She was an exceptional wife, mother, relative, teacher, counselor and friend. Her legacy will live through the many lives she touched, changed, and transformed for the better.

Marjean is predeceased by husband Dick, brothers Benjamin, William and Robert, and sister Linda. She is survived by son Jeff (Joanne) of Dunn Loring; son Keith (Dawn) of Falls Church; daughter Laura of Raleigh, NC; son Mark (Ida) of Tarrytown, NY; grandchildren Alison, Brian, Matthew, Derek, Liam, Linnea, and Isabella; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. She will be missed.

A viewing (10:00am) and memorial service (11:00am) will be held on September 5, 2025, at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032. Graveside burial will be held at Fairfax Memorial Park at 12:00pm, located at 4401 Burke Station Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032. A reception will immediately follow in Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org) or Capital Caring Health (https://www.capitalcaring.org/get-involved/donate/)