Marianne (Stender) Appel
Marriages
William B. Appel - October 12, 1940
Burial Details
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - January 3, 2010
Longtime Routt County resident Marianne Appel passed away Dec. 26 at the Doak Walker Care Center in Steamboat Springs. Marianne was born to William and Marie Stender on Aug. 20, 1922, in Bergenhusen, Germany. She traveled with her parents to the United States in 1926 aboard the steamship Albert Ballin. They traveled from New York to Oak Creek by train. They then traveled by team and buggy with John Thams to the 7N Ranch. Marianne’s parents worked there for five years.
On Oct. 12, 1940, Marianne married William R. Appel at the Stender home place on Twentymile Road. One of Marianne’s favorite stories is how she and Bill took a load of hogs to Denver for their honeymoon. They had eight children, and they all still reside in Steamboat. As a longtime resident of Routt County, Marianne devoted herself to her family, working on the ranch on Twentymile and supporting her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events.
In addition to working on the family ranch and being a full-time mother, she found time to work for the Steamboat Springs school lunch program for several years. Marianne loved animals and was known for her “pet” squirrels, which she fed from her porch on Hill Street. Her neighbors referred to her as the Matriarch of Hill Street.
Marianne is remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children, Betty Anne Wandell, Carl Appel, Carolyn Scherar, Larry Appel, Janet Arroyo, Dale Appel, Debbie Appel and Marlene Walsh; 17 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by brother Willie Stender and sister Shirley Stone. Marianne was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Bill.
A funeral was held Dec. 31 at the United Methodist Church with pastor Matthias Krier officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Marianne’s grandsons Steve Wandell, Doug Appel, Billy Appel, David VanWinkle, Bryan VanWinkle, Mike Appel, Keith Appel and Troy Walsh.
Memorial donations may be made to Born Free Wildlife Rehabilitation or Animal Assistance League in care of Yampa Valley Funeral Home, PO Box 776090, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477.
