Marna L. Cowan

Marna Louise (Schlageter)

COWAN



After a seven month battle with liver cancer, Marna Louise Cowan left us on January 6, 2009. Marna was born on June 18, 1937 at Merritt Hospital, Oakland, CA, to Rhoda A. (Postlethwaite) and Frederick Carl Schlageter. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Bill (William George) Cowan, her father and mother, stepfathers and close friends.

Marna helped raise her brother while her mother worked two jobs (legal secretary by day, and babysitter by night), in order to raise Marna and her brother as a single mom. By the time Marna graduated from Reno High, she had moved across the country eight times. From childhood Marna was a dancer, and her first job in Reno was as a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studios in downtown Reno. Later she became a legal secretary for Reno attorney Roger Bissett, including the period that he held the office of Nevada State Senator.

Marna then took a job with a small start-up leasing company, Pyramid Lease, and continued as the only employee when it was acquired by local entrepreneur Bill Stremmel. She then took on further duties for Mr. Stremmel, including personal secretary, bookkeeper and office manager. When Mr. Stremmel passed away in 1994, she continued to work for his estate and family, Peter and Turkey Stremmel, working a total of approximately 45 years with the Stremmels, up to days before her death. In addition, from 1995 to 2005, Marna also worked part- time as a bookkeeper for the law firm of Lemons, Grundy and Eisenberg.

Over the years Marna had been caretaker for many of her family, and raised one son, Ken. During her life, she got a degree in Accounting, and was certified by G.I.A. as a diamond appraiser. During the time Marna worked with Mr. Stremmel, she became a member of Executive Secretaries (later Executive Women International), and choreographed skits performed at their yearly functions. Marna was no- nonsense, strong willed, and an avid football fan, holding season tickets to UNR games for many years. She enjoyed visiting with her son and his family, friends and neighbors, rock hounding, playing electric organ, off-roading, card games, and Yahtzee.

Marna is survived by her son, Ken (Barbara); granddaughters, Talia and Jenna of Woodinville, WA; and her brother, Michael D. Roberts (Linda) and their sons, Jay and Lewis of Reno, and her three dogs, all whom she adored.

Her family and friends are all very proud of her. A memorial service will be held at Mt. View Cemetery in the Meditation Chapel at the mausoleum on January 17, at 1 p.m.