Marie W. Rogers

 "My Life" written by Marie Rogers

I was born in Hendricks County, Indiana October 25, 1921 to Raleigh and Opal Ward on a farm south of Indianapolis. My brother, Dean, was two years old. My dad was not a farmer; he was a veteran and worked for the government as a meat inspector. We had a cow, chickens, sheep, and hogs. We also had a large garden so during The Great Depression of the 1930’s we were not affected, as we were self-sufficient.

I had a fox terrier dog, named Tippie, and a black lamb that were my “toys”. I belonged to 4-H Club for several years; where I learned to sew, cook, and worked on several projects. I took piano lessons (to no avail) and was in Girl Scouts.

After graduating from Clayton Indiana High School in 1939, I went to Central Normal College in Danville, Indiana for a pre-med year before entering Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Indianapolis, Indiana. The discipline and rules were grueling, but I graduated in 1943.

I married my high school sweetheart – Carl Rogers, in Pasadena, California. He was on desert maneuvers there in June of 1943, (during the Second World War). We were in Columbus, Georgia for three months before he was sent to The European Theatre for two years. I received a letter from him every day. He returned home in August of 1945. I did school nursing for five schools and also worked at Allisons as a medical assistant for the 11am-1am shift, so I didn’t have much time to fret!

We had an apartment in Plainfield, Indiana where our daughter was born in 1946. Carl worked for General Motors for 40 years, while I stayed home. Lance was born in 1949. We were transferred to Cincinnati, then transferred to Chicago, then transferred to Evansville for a year and a half, then transferred back to Cincinnati for 40 years. We had 23 years in Venice, Florida, during the three months of cold here.  We belonged to couples' groups of golf, cards, and dance. We had several trips in our motor home, and a wonderful life together for 63 years. We lost our daughter Lynn in November 2004 to cancer. Carl died a year later in December 2005 of COPD.

          I’m so very thankful I’m in a wonderful retirement village, MCV, it’s the best! The staff and residents are all so friendly, helpful, and kind.

          I’m so blessed to have a son, wonderful daughter-in-law, 5 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. I count my blessings every day. 

Marie is the beloved wife of 62 years to the late Carl E. Rogers.  Loving mother of Lance (Susie) Rogers and the late Lynn (Roger) Hall, cherished grandmother of Cassandra Valdivia, Bryce Hall, Morgan Hall, Drea Hyden and Kevin Rogers and many special great-grandchildren. 

A memorial service to be held at 2 PM Friday March 17, at the Mason Christian Village Chapel, 411 Western Row Rd. Mason, Ohio 45040.