Marian R. Jochem, 101, of Quincy, a resident of St. Vincent’s Home, died at 4:55 a.m., Holy Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Home.

Marian was born April 3, 1916, in Quincy, a daughter of Charles E. and Agnes Wellman Byerly. Marian was a second-generation centenarian. Her mother Agnes reached age 100. Since Marian reached age 101, she lived longer than anyone else in her family.

Marian married Raymond F. Jochem on September 30, 1942 in St. Francis Catholic Church while he was on a three-day pass from active duty in the Army. Mr. Jochem died November 13, 2000.

She attended St. Francis Grade School and Notre Dame Academy in Quincy and she completed two years (1935-37) at Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee, WI. Upon returning to Quincy, Marian worked for her father, Charles Byerly at the Quincy Photo Engraving Company. She also worked at the Adams County Health Department before her marriage and for the USO in Newport News, VA while her husband was stationed there for the U.S. Army.

Marian was a lifetime member of St. Francis Catholic Church, a member of the Ladies of St. Francis and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for St. Francis School. Since 1953, Marian was a member of the Secular Franciscans, serving as treasurer for several years. She did her best to model the Franciscan way of living. Marian had a gentle spirit. She was patient, kind, generous and fair-minded. She was the first to offer help and the last to criticize. She loved animals, birds and children, especially their honest view of the world and people in it.

Marian was proud of earning her 5-gallon Donor Pin with the Adams County Red Cross Blood Mobile. She was also proud of voting in every election since she was eligible to vote, including the years she lived at Casita Catherine Assisted Living and St. Vincent’s Home. Marian early voted on Monday, April 3, 2017, her 101st birthday, for the April 4, 2017 spring election. She also served as a Sunshine Volunteer at Sycamore Healthcare Center while she lived at Casita Catherine Assisted Living until she stopped driving at the age of 94.

During Marian’s six plus years at St. Vincent’s Home, she enjoyed attending Mass, praying the Rosary and getting the winning number at coverall bingo. She had a great love for Snoopy and Woodstock, a good chewy pecan turtle, an icy cold can of V-8, and greeting people with a wave and a smile.

Marian is survived by her three children, son, Donald C. Jochem (Patricia) of Santa Fe, NM, son, Allen L. Jochem of Quincy and daughter, Sharon Jochem Schmidt (Mark) of Milwaukee, WI; four grandchildren, Jonathan Jochem (Shari) of West Sacramento, CA, Heidi Jochem, MD (Craig Jensen, MD) of Albuquerque, NM, James Jochem (Vanessa) and Shannon Armijo (Carlos) of Albuquerque, NM;
Eight great-grandchildren, Jude Jochem, Elliott Jochem, Oliver Jochem, Noah Jensen, Emma Jensen, K.J. Gutierrez, Alyssa Gutierrez and Cortez Gutierrez. She is also survived by her two sisters, Margaret Louise Kahler and Betty Shackleton, both of Quincy, and thirteen nieces and nephews.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, ten sisters and brothers-in-law and her son, Frederick John Jochem, who died in infancy.

The Jochem family would like to thank Martha Robinson at Casita Catherine, Sister Florence Kuhn and Sister Jackie Sellmeyer at St. Vincent’s Home as well as Marian’s caregivers and the staff at St. Vincent’s home for thirteen years of caring for our beloved mother.

Services: 11:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at St. Francis Catholic Church. Secular Franciscan prayer service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation: Tuesday morning from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the following: Secular Franciscans, Ladies of Charity or Catholic Charities. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.