Marian R. Alderman

Marian R. Alderman, 96, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 17, 2017, at Richmond Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Richmond, Kansas, just nine days shy of her 97th birthday. Cremation is planned and an informal gathering for family and friends will be determined at a later date. Marian Evelyn (Rader) Alderman was born in Lawrence, Kansas, on February 26, 1920, to Alex and Ruth (Buchanan) Rader. She grew up in Howard, Kansas, and attended school there, graduating in 1937. She attended Ottawa University, graduating in 1941. While at Ottawa University, she lived with her aunt, Nell Buchanan, who was an instructor at the university. During her senior year at Ottawa University, she met Max Peyson Alderman. After she had taught for two years in the towns of Mildred and Cimarron, Kansas, she and Max were married June 4, 1943, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where Max was employed as a chemist in a defense laboratory. Their daughter, Susan Jane, was born in 1944 just before Max was sent to the Pacific where he was assigned to a P.T. boat. Their son, Max David, was born four years later in 1948. In 1954, Max built a house at 1202 Willow in which Marian resided until 2011. Marian taught for 28years in Ottawa schools, retiring in 1982. Most of her time teaching was spent in fourth grade at Eugene Field. After retirement, Marian was a tireless volunteer volunteering at the Ottawa Library, OU, First Baptist Church, Eugene Field and Eisenhower elementary school libraries, and hospice. In 1998, she was honored to receive the Ottawa University Esther Ruth Award for her quiet and efficient service to OU, her church and other community organizations. Marian was also an active member of Chapter AU, P.E.O., and Delta Kappa Gamma. Retirement also offered Marian a chance to travel. She was a fearless world traveler well into her 80’s traveling to England and Europe several times, Israel, China, Indonesia, and Mexico as well as places in the United States. She was a voracious reader, master quilter, crossword puzzle enthusiast, and enjoyed playing bridge. Marian was preceded in death by her parents; husband Max; brother Jack Rader; and sisters Marge Rader and Virginia Rader Loyd. She is survived by her daughter Susan Bieberly and husband Frank, and son David and wife Lynda; six grandchildren, Esme, Hannah and Ben Bieberly, Anne Bieberly Allen, Angie Alderman Davis, and Alex Alderman; and eight great-grandchildren. First Baptist Church and the Ottawa Suzuki Strings provided much joy to Marian’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations to one of these two organizations would be a most appropriate remembrance c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Marian’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com