Mariella Ellen Bohlen

Mariella E. Bohlen, born June 20th, 1935 in Pershing, Missouri, passed away on December 28th, 2016 at her home in Florence, Arizona in the company of her son, grandson, and two best friends from high school. The eldest daughter of Henry and Frieda (Schwinke) Deppe, Mariella grew up in Rudd, Iowa working on her family’s farm. Mariella graduated from Rudd High School in 1953 and married Jack Bohlen August 21, 1955, spending 60 years together. In 1967 Mariella and Jack moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Here she spent the Alaskan Summers tending to her garden displays with good friend Chris. Mariella’s dedication to her garden was rewarded in 2000 when she and Chris were selected as 2 of the 22 entrants for the Annual Anchorage Garden Tour. Mariella also received a first and second place award for her entry of specimens, Astrantia (Hadspen Blood) and Peony. In the cold of the Alaskan winter, Mariella’s superior baking skills were a family treasure. Family favorites included her family dinner rolls, an assortment of pies, deserts and coffee breads, and her annual Christmas goodie plates. Never one to waste idle time, Mariella worked for RCA communication as a telephone operator from May 1968. She spent 23 years with the company that later became Alascom. During this time she progressed to Service Assistant, Supervisor Operator Services 1&2, Telegraph Supervisor, and finally Surveillance and Control Systems Administrator. In December 1991 Mariella was offered, and accepted, an early retirement. True to form however, she negated the ‘early retirement’ by accepting a role as an Administrative Consultant for Alascom. Following a short break from her consultancy work Mariella once again entered the workforce with Dominion Propeller for another 15 years before she finally retired from paid work. Mariella remained busy in the Anchorage community by volunteering time with both the Anchorage Preforming Arts Center, and the Anchorage Information Center located at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. She was a dedicated member of the Anchorage Baptist Temple particularly enjoying time spent among friends in the adult bible studies group. Mariella toured extensively with her husband Jack in his 1960 Corvette as part of the Alaska Corvette Association. In June of 2013 Mariella and Jack headed for the warmth of Florence, Arizona where they enjoyed reacquainting with dear lifelong friends from Iowa, and meeting new friends through both church and community. Mariella was proud of her family and took delight in watching her nephew Marcus Mariota play football each week from his start with the Oregon Ducks to his current quarterback position with Tennessee Titans. Mariella had hoped to see Mathew Mariota also play for the Oregon Ducks. Mariella was preceded in death by her parents Henry & Frieda, children Jon and Lori-Ann, and husband Jack Bohlen. Mariella was the much loved and treasured mother to Eric (Mischelle) Bohlen of Melbourne Australia, and step grandmother Luka, Asha,and Mietta. A devoted grandmother to Erik (Brandy) Bohlen of Anchorage Alaska, and wonderful great grandma to Liam and Avalynn. A beloved sister to Eileen (Frank) Butts of Spring Hill Tennessee, and Ardel (Suzanne) Deppe of Lihue Hawaii. And a loving Aunt to Roddy and Randy Butts of Tennessee, Rieda Butts of California, and Alana (Toa) Mariota of Hawaii and their families. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made in Mariella’s memory to: The Banner Cancer Center @ 2946 East Banner Gateway Drive Gilbert, Arizona 85234.

Mariella Ellen Bohlen

June 20, 1935 - December 28, 2016