Marion E. Hartwick, 92, of St. Anthony Park, died Nov. 8.
Marion was born May 23, 1921, in St. Paul at Merriam Park Hospital. She was the oldest of two girls born to Charles and Florence Harris. Marion moved with her family to St. Anthony Park in her fifth-grade year. They lived on Knapp Street, facing Langford Park. Marion attended Gutterson School and graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1938. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1942 with a degree in home economics.
Marion became a member of St. Anthony Park United Methodist Church in 1932. She fell in love with a handsome usher there and married Bill Hartwick on Nov. 21, 1942. After a naval stint in Texas, where Bill was a dentist, the couple purchased their home at 2153 Knapp St. in 1950. They lived there 47 years, then moved to Falcon Heights. Dr. Bill had his dental practice on Como Avenue from 1946 to 1979.
Marion took tremendous pleasure in serving various positions in her church. Toward the end of her life, the highlight of her week was working in the kitchen at the Leisure Center on Wednesdays. Her last day working there was Oct. 23, 16 days before she died.
Marion was an avid reader and enjoyed book club. She was a Blue Bird and Camp Fire leader in the 1960s and 1970s. Marion and Bill had five children, all of whom graduated from Murray: Steve (’62), Ann (’63), Kathi (’65), Janet (’68) and Barbara (’77). Marion was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 2005 and her son, Stephen, in 1986.
She is survived by her daughters; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Her memorial service will be held at St. Anthony Park United Methodist Church, Nov. 24, at 2:30 p.m.
