Mary Palda Marxen

Mary Palda Marxen, born October 22, 1935 died peacefully surrounded by family on January 3, 2013. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Charles and Loretta Palda. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in music at Barry University in Florida. She became a nun, joining the Dominican Sisters in Adrian, Michigan in 1955. She taught vocal music and choral performance at Rosary High School in Detroit, Michigan, shared her music and gave inspirational talks to prisoners in the Detroit area, and recorded several albums while earning her Master's Degree in vocal performance from Catholic University in Washington D.C. Mary left the convent in 1970, and in the next 7 months she became a secretary, big band singer, a wife and mother. In November of 1970, she married Dr. Norman L. Marxen, a surgeon in northwest Ohio and the father of 4 children. They shared a full life together, until a tragic airplane crash took his life on June 23, 1983. She was the choir director of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Van Wert, Ohio, directed the Sweet Adeline Choir, and became involved in Civic Theater in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She later moved to the Cincinnati area and became involved in oil and water color painting. She has taught water color classes for many years, and several of her paintings were award winning. Several times a week she gave programs of music and inspiration. In Naples, Florida she had leading roles in the dinner theater productions of "Show Boat," "Sound of Music," and "Music Man." Mary founded the Triple Crown Doll Club in the Cincinnati area, was a member of the Florence, Kentucky Women's Club, sang in the choir and cantored at St. Timothy Church. Mary was well-known for her love of her many dogs, collecting antique dolls and teddy bears, her positive attitude, her kindness and generosity, her energy and the gift of her time, her loyalty to her friends, and most of all, her love of her family. She is survived by step-daughters, Dr. Pamela Marxen (Dr. Kevin) Kelly and their children, Brendan, Evan, Caitrin, Erin; Karen (Iver ) Sondrol and their children Carl and Ann; step-son Dr. Thomas (Dr. Victoria) Marxen and their children Chad, Lance, Troy, and Gina. Step-son Dr. Jeffrey Marxen preceded her in death, and his children are Phillip, Jeffrey, Marissa. Mary is also survived by brother John Palda and sister Elizabeth Palda and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society 2808 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Visitation at MIDDENDORF FUNERAL HOME, 3312 MADISON PIKE in Fort Wright Kentucky on Thursday, January 10th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Timothy Church 10272 US 42, Union, Kentucky on Friday, January 11th at 11:00 AM. Burial will be Monday, January 14th at Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert, Ohio at 12:30 PM.