Marion Jane Ebel

Marion Jane Ebel, age 85, passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013. She was born July 1, 1928 in Rapid City, SD to Martha and Clair Magness. Her family moved to Monte Vista, CO where she graduated from high school in 1946. She married Clayton Ebel in 1947 and they moved to Durango, CO where they raised their family. In 1990, they retired to Yuma, AZ. Marion embodied the value of hard work and resilience. In her early forties, she borrowed money from her brother so she could go to school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Her LPN degree led to a career at Mercy Medical Center that lasted over 20 years. During her years at Mercy she worked in surgery, ran two departments, earned an employee of the year award, and retired as the Assistant Director of Materials Management. Marion had a lifelong passion for reading and in her volunteer job at the Yuma Public Library; she worked tirelessly to raise money for the Friends of the Library. She loved passing on good books to friends and family. Marion learned to clog in her sixties and continued clogging into her seventies. She was a talented seamstress throughout her life but turned to needle arts when she retired. She mastered each needle art she attempted, but her true love was quilting. Her years of devotion to this art produced elegant quilts with hand stitched quilting so precise it was seamless. She had one passion greater than quilting, her grandchildren. At the end of her life she was still recalling stories of her grandchildren and the joy they brought to her life. Marion was generous, fair, didn't dwell on problems and always said it was easier to laugh than to cry. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Clayton; and by her brother, Jim Magness. She is survived by her brother, Tom Magness; sister, Catherine Owens; daughter, Annette (John) Thies; sons, Russ (Stacey) Ebel and Phil Ebel; and grandchildren, Jessica Ebel, Max Ebel and Jackson Thies. A private family service will be held. Donations in Marion's name can be made to the Yuma County Library District, 2951 S. 21st Dr. Yuma, AZ 85364 or Presbyterian Hospice In-Patient Unit, 8300 Constitution Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400