Dr. Marie Margaret Ernzen Landwer, who lived a long and full life of 90 years, passed peacefully with her family by her side, on November 16, 2024, at her home in Henderson, NV. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 19286 234th Rd, Atchison, KS. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. at the church before the Mass.

Marie was born June 3, 1934 to Frances and Felix Ernzen of Atchison, Kansas. The third born child of eight children, she was one of five girls and three boys. 

Marie enjoyed working outdoors and did so from an early age. She was best known in her rural community for working at the Lowemont store and having the sole responsibility of running the grain elevator in Lowemont, Kansas at the age of 14.

Marie graduated in 1951, from Atchison County Community High School (ACCHS) in Effingham, Kansas, where she participated in student government, was an honor student and class officer, and participated in many social and academic organizations, such as pep club, FHA, band, girls’ glee, cheerleading and girls’ basketball.

She attended Kansas State College (now Kansas State University) graduating on Dean’s List with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. 

She was awarded her first teaching job at Hastings Junior High school in Hastings, Nebraska. where she met and married Richard Crabtree (junior high school civics teacher, and football and basketball coach) Together they raised two children, ReNae and Stephen. 

She continued teaching as a post-secondary teacher until 1970 when she earned her Master’s Degree from Kearney State College (now Kearney State University) in Nebraska, never receiving a grade lower than an A. Marie loved to play golf and she loved to dance!  During her tenure at Hastings College (Hastings Nebraska) she served as Assistant Professor of physical education, serving as both the women’s golf coach and women’s assistant basketball coach. She also taught her students social and popular, and folk and square dance among others. 

While at Hastings College, she was nominated and elected President of the Nebraska chapter of athletics, health, physical education, recreation, and dance (NAHPERD). In this capacity she was sent to Washington DC to break ground for a new building for the national chapter. Then in 1980 she returned to the classroom once again (this time as a student) at the University of Missouri Columbia and earned her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) focusing on Adapted Physical Education. At MU Dr. Landwer was a member of the Graduate Advisory Committee, the Curriculum committee, and a representative of Department Policy. She was awarded “Who’s Who in Colleges & Universities” and was selected Outstanding Graduate Student.

On December 16, 1983 Marie married the love of her life, Dr. Gerald E.” Jerry” Landwer.  Together they joined the faculty at Texas Christian University, (TCU) and later the University of Nevada Las Vegas, (UNLV)

After retirement, Marie enjoyed spending time traveling abroad with her husband Jerry, and visiting her grandson Bif (Overland Park, Kansas) granddaughter Ashley and her husband Sean, with great grandchildren, Peyton, Derrick, Lilah and Colton, all of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marie is survived by her children ReNae Crabtree Allen (Overland Park) and Stephen Crabtree (Cheyenne, Wyoming) and sisters Dorothy McDermed and Patsy Penning (Atchison) Shirley K. Ernzen (Overland Park) and Tom Ernzen (Lorena, Texas). She is preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Daniel Ernzen, Ronald Ernzen and Rita Schuler.