Marianne was a great lady. I enjoyed spending time with her at Cottage Grove. Prayers for the family.
Regina Hamilton
March 6, 2017
In 2001 it was a "Glückszufall" (a word I learned from Marianne) to hear about the family Katzenstein who built the house Viktoriastraße 24 in Bielefeld, Germany und lived there for until 1939. Now it is an artists house and I lived there for about ten years. I wrote her about my art plans and it was a big gift for me to get invited by Marianne in her house in Cedar Rapids. She was so generous and supporting. It was wonderful: she let me participate in her memories of her childhood and youth in Germany. She showed me the old photos. The time before 1939 when the family escaped from Nazi-Germany became more imaginable and very impressive through the individual life of the Katzenstein family. So I came back home with a lot of material for my art project "Recall Katzenstein".
During these days in Cedar Rapids, I met Marianne, despite these terrible experiences in her youth, as a extremly positive, open, wonderful person who deeply impressed me. I will never forget her.
http://www.gabriele-undine-meyer.de/index.php?/installationen/recall-katzenstein/
Gabriele Undine Meyer
February 27, 2017
Dear Jennifer and Dan, please accept our condolences. When we look out at our back porch, we can still see Marianne, our precious German "relative" there with us, at family celebrations, so charming, gracious, and intelligent. Her passing is a turning point for us too. She was a very fine person - what on would call a person of good will. We send our love.
Klaus and Ursula Ruedenberg
February 26, 2017
My dear Jennifer and Dan, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Your parents were wonderful, warm, loving people who raised two extraordinary children, testaments to the people they were. Your mother was a strong, nurturing woman and I'm so honored to have met her. My thoughts are of and with you. Love, Mali
Mali Henigman
February 25, 2017
Jennifer and Dan, I want to send my condolences for the loss of your beautiful mother. She was a wonderful part of the caring circle of elders who helped raise and guide the group of Jewish kids in Mount Vernon. The memory of her intelligence, grace, and sweet voice at all our gatherings will remain in my heart. Wish I could be with you today.
Amy Lifson
February 24, 2017
I came to live in Cedar Rapids, from Switzerland, for an academic year knowing nobody and missing my family very much. Marianne welcomed me and took me under her wing. We lunched weekly with other linguists in the French Lunch Bunch, where our conversation made me feel a little less far from home. She was such a gentle and beautiful person who loved music and the arts passionately. I consider myself very fortunate to have known her. I extend my sincere condolences to her family at this painful time. May she rest in peace and may her memory be for a blessing.
Jennifer Paull
February 24, 2017
What an beautiful soul! She and her husband raised such beautiful and amazing children. I'm so glad that she was surrounded by so much love, all her life, and especially as she went from this world on to the next. Love you!
Ann Currie
February 23, 2017
Our sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of your mother. May the memory of time spent together always warm your heart. Much love to you during this trying time.
Sheila and Matt Krakower
February 23, 2017
May her memory be for a blessing.
Mark Starin
February 23, 2017
I am so very grateful that I grew up knowing wonderful Mrs. Bern. Always graceful, always charming and a little exotic to my midwestern eyes. I have admired her and her accomplishments my entire life and thank her greatly for introducing me to English "Smarties"! My world is brighter for having had her in it.
Karen Smith
February 23, 2017
so glad you were there to hold her hands. an era gone. a woman of valor for sure. an immigrant welcomed a life well lived.. a life to remember, in these times and always... her memory for a blessing. love to you who survive her.....she lives in you... and all whose lives she touched...... thank you
rebecca rosenbaum and steve marsden
February 23, 2017