Mariann Molen Rohrkemper
July 25, 1929 to Oct. 24, 2014
Mariann Molen Rohrkemper, 85, passed away in Santa Cruz on Oct. 24, 2014, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
She was born on July 25, 1929 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and is survived by her children, Pamela (Art), Karl (Christine), and Tim (Petra), as well as six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her brother, Wes Molen of Idaho Falls, and many nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her husband, Arthur Rohrkemper; her parents, Earl and Inez Molen; and her brother, Jon Molen.
She studied nursing at the University of Utah prior to her marriage in 1948. She worked in finance at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, and volunteered transcribing books into Braille for the blind.
She was an interior designer and owned a needlepoint shop — Hummingbird Studio in Aptos — for many years, where she taught beautiful needlepoint projects.
Mariann and Art lived in Sunnyvale, Saratoga, Aptos, and, lastly, Montevalle in Scotts Valley, where she enjoyed many activities and friends.
She also volunteered for the Red Cross and with her husband as ombudsman and volunteers for the city of Scotts Valley.
She was an amazing cook, who loved to entertain and decorate, especially during Christmas. She was shy about playing the piano for friends but the family loved to hear her play.
Her smile and beautiful blue eyes will be greatly missed. She was a beautiful, strong, and elegant lady.
The family would like to sincerely thank all those who took such great care of her over the years of her battle with Alzheimer’s.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
