Marian Kerlin

Marian Annabelle Kerlin, 90 years of age, passed away Thursday evening, October, 12th, 2017. She was born in Alden, Iowa on August 5th, 1927, to Gustaf and Lillian Pingel. She attended Drake University and graduated from the nursing program at Polk County Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa on March 31st, 1949. Her nursing career started with the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in San Francisco, California. She married Walter Kerlin on April 18th, 1953, in Reno, Nevada. With Walter in the Navy, Marian loved to recount stories of being stationed with him in Japan, and after he retired, owning and running a bar and grill in Cudahy, Wisconsin. \r\n \r\nThey moved to Westminster, California in 1962, where Marian continued her nursing career at the VA Hospital in Long Beach, California, moving to the VA Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1976, and finally moving to the Kerrville, Texas, VA Hospital in 1983. After retiring from the Veterans Administration in 1989, she continued working at University Hospital in San Antonio and Sid Peterson Hospital in Kerrville. She retired from nursing in 1992. \r\n \r\nThroughout her life, Marian most loved gardening, reading, sewing, and baking. An occasion or holiday would not go by without a beautifully decorated cake! Christmas was her favorite time of year and decorated the house with dozens of Santas and ornaments. She was also a huge San Antonio Spurs fan, rarely missing a televised game. \r\n \r\nMarian is preceded in death by her husband, Walter, her brothers Robert Pingel and Marvin Pingel, and her sister Alice Bouret. She is survived by her son, Jon Kerlin, her daughter, Julie Kerlin, her brother Allen Pingel, and her sister, Pauline Werley.\r\n \r\nMarian will be buried with her husband at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Thursday, October 26th, at 11:00 a.m. \r\n \r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association. \r\n \r\nMarian's family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Peterson Hospice and Brookdale at Guadalupe River Plaza Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing staffs. \r\n