Marion Etzwiler Obituary

Marion Grassby Etzwiler, age 88, of Minneapolis, died peacefully at home on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, surrounded by her family.  

She was a passionate and tireless worker for social justice who was persistently curious and abundantly energetic. She cared deeply for others.  

Marion was born in Chicago on Dec. 21, 1928, and raised in Ironwood, Mich., and South Bend, Ind. She moved to Minneapolis in 1957. 

Always a trailblazer, Marion graduated in 1950 from Indiana University with a degree in physics. Throughout her life, she found joy in serving others, especially women and girls, through her career and volunteer work. In addition to her early work as a scientist with Bendix Aviation Corp., her career included 10 years as President and CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation, and Executive Director and member of the founding team of CHART (now WomenVenture). Marion also served on the National Commission on Working Women and The National AIDS Fund.

Marion's extensive volunteer contributions included serving on the boards and in leadership positions of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Planned Parenthood, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, womenwinning, Plymouth Neighborhood Foundation, Minnesota Women's Economic Roundtable, the Minnesota Women's Foundation, United Theological Seminary and countless other organizations. She was a tireless leader in Westminster's work to expand affordable housing in Minneapolis.  

More than anything, she loved being a mother, grandmother ("Grammy"), and great-grandmother ("GG"). She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Nancy (Dan O'Neill), Lisa (Randall Clary), Dee (Rob Thallon), and David (Sarah Truesdell) and stepchildren Roger Shepherd (Wendy) and Gillian Shepherd Mestre (Eduardo). She is also survived by 16 adoring grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and her cousin, Jean Grey.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, John Shepherd; her parents, Frances and George Grassby; and her former husband, Donnell Etzwiler.

A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave. S., Minneapolis, (parking available at Orchestra Hall and the Convention Center) with a reception following at The Minneapolis Club, 729 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis. Interment is private.  

Memorials are preferred to Westminster Presbyterian Church (Minneapolis); Planned Parenthood of MN, ND, and SD; and The Women's Foundation of Minneapolis.