Marian A Kayser, 89, of Quincy died Monday, April 28, 2014 in the Good Samaritan Home. Marian was born in Quincy, IL on May 15, 1924, a daughter of Fred Kientzle and Lillian Druffel Kientzle. Marian met Army veteran Lowell “Bill” Kayser in St Louis shortly after World War II ended. The post-war exuberance was centered in the dance halls and Marian met Bill at Tune Town. They were married June 19, 1948 in Quincy. Marian attended St Francis Elementary School and Notre Dame High School in Quincy. She was employed at her father’s tavern at 11th and Hampshire and as an invoicing clerk at Dayton-Dowd, a pump manufacturer. During World War II, she worked as a draftsman at Army Map in Quincy and St Louis. After her marriage, her full-time job was raising seven children. Once the children were older, she began to work in the Special Education program at Quincy Senior High School.

Marian’s love of fishing was legendary, and she pursued her passion even into her senior years. She amazed onlookers at area launch ramps with the expert handling of her boat and trailer. Marian loved to catch crappie from her beloved fishing boat, but she would also put on waders to fish for salmon in Alaskan streams. Her children have vivid memories of bait expeditions, seining for crawfish, and rainy evening nightcrawler hunts.
Marian also loved to garden. Her perennial flower beds at the family home at 1417 Adams were the envy of the neighborhood. She always timed her springtime trips to hunt for morel mushrooms based on the bloom of certain flowers in her garden. A niece, Judy Mesmer of Bethel, MO, will provide arrangements of some of Marian’s favorite flowers for the funeral.

Marian and Bill attended St Mary’s Catholic church (now Blessed Sacrament parish) and were active in the Quincy Elks lodge.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, brother Fred Kientzle Jr., and sisters Lillian Kientzle and Loretta Wood.

Marian is survived by her husband, her seven children, fifteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Her children are Jim (Kay) of Quincy, IL, Terry (Carol) of Ursa, IL, Connie (Lyle) of Springfield, IL, Dan (Vanessa) of Mendon, IL, Billy (Kathy) of Perry, MO, Janet (Don) of Hillsboro, MO and Kevin (Renee) of Chesterfield, MO. Her grandchildren are Jenifer (Jeremy) Schoonover, Roni (Scott) Nichols, Danielle (Jake) Miller, Elizabeth Kayser, Casey Kayser, Christy Kayser (Andrew) Arrazattee, Matt (Nicole) Kayser, Tim Kayser, Annie Kayser, Hanna Shirrell, Katie Shirrell, Nicole (Eric) Wheatley, Sarah (Ross) Braden, Zach Kayser and Cecilia Kayser.

Danielle (“Dede”) and Roni are employed at Good Samaritan Home and have provided loving care to their grandparents.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 9:30 in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:00 in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Living Land and Waters or the Good Samaritan Employee Assistance Fund