Marie Ahlstrom Cross, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend went home to the Lord on Saturday, May 19, 2018 after an extended illness.

Marie Ahlstrom was born in Hanna, Wyoming on July 17, 1927 to William and Mary Ellen (Marie) Ahlstrom. Marie had humble beginnings as a true “coal miner’s daughter.” During her younger years, her family moved to Superior, Wyoming and finally settled in Sheridan, Wyoming when she was elementary school age.

Marie thrived in school and loved outdoor activities such as empty lot baseball and football and ice skating in the winter. During one neighborhood game of baseball, Marie became interested in a handsome young man named Frank Cross. Marie had met the love of her life at that tender age. They dated throughout high school. When Frank graduated from high school, he went right into the Navy in 1942. He served for three years during World War II. During this time, Marie completed high school and graduated with honors in 1945. In June 1945, while Frank was on a 24-hour leave, the two were married.

Marie and Frank had three children, Richard on August 9, 1946. Kathie on August 23, 1948 and Larry on January 18, 1952.

Marie and Frank supplemented their meager income by building and selling houses. Marie was as skilled with a hammer, saw and paintbrush as Frank was. During a series of Frank’s serious illnesses. Marie continued to complete the houses to support their family. Frank and Marie were an excellent, hard-working team.

Marie, early in their marriage, went to work at the Reynold’s Home, a private medical facility. Marie assisted the owner, Mom Reynolds and learned many valuable medical skills.

In 1957, Marie went to work for the Montana Dakota Utilities Company as head stenographer. She was skilled in short hand and transcription, as well as on the typewriter. Marie left Montana Dakota Utilities in 1961 when Frank and Marie decided to move to Laramie, Wyoming in order for Frank to complete his college education in the field of education.

From 1961 to 1965, Marie worked in the Law Offices of Corthell and King, supporting the family while Frank went to school. Marie also worked in the College of Civil Engineering at the University of Wyoming until 1967.

Frank completed his Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate during those years. Marie was truly the woman behind the man as she continued to support the family while Frank completed his education. Without her commitment to Frank, his education, and the well-being of her family, all that Frank was able to accomplish in his lifetime would not have been possible. In 1967, Frank accepted a position at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. Marie immediately went to work for the president of the university’s office. Marie’s intellect, organizational, and relational skills earned her the respect of both the president and vice president.

In 1968, Frank accepted the dream job he and Marie had worked so hard for over the years. He became an associate professor in the College of Education at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Marie took a position in the Office of Budgets and Planning at OSU. She remained in this position until 1988, when she retired. She received the Outstanding Employee of the Year for the OSU Office Personnel Association in 1976. She was nominated again in 1977. In order to increase her skills in the areas of her expertise, Marie took continuing education classes throughout her tenure at OSU.

In all areas of her life, Marie strived for excellence. Whether building houses, cooking, knitting, sewing, whatever she put her hand to, was done with great skill and love. However, after retirement, her great passion became gardening. Marie possessed the creative ability to plan and develop her extensive garden. She had the green thumb to revive unhealthy plants and to make healthy plants thrive. She had the stamina to maintain all of this on her own. Because of Marie’s love for beauty, their home, inside and out, was beautiful to behold.

Marie had three passions in her life; her 72-year love affair with Frank until his death in 2015, her family �" children, grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren, and the sanctuary of her beautiful garden.

Marie lived and loved well. She invested all of herself in the well-being of others. She was dynamic, loving, intelligent, creative, and devoted.

She has left her earthly home to be united with Jesus and to be reunited with Frank, their son, Richard and a tiny great-great-granddaughter, Mecaila.

She will be sorely missed here on earth, but her family knows one day, they will all be reunited with her.