Marie E. Sterling
1938-2021
Marie E Sterling went to her heavenly home on January 24, 2021 at the age of 82. She was devoted to the Lord and to her family and was a blessing to all.
She was born November 22, 1938 to Fredrick William Rambo and Helen Elsie Thomas Rambo in Pittsburgh, PA. She attended grade school at Thad Stevens in Pittsburgh, PA and high school at Maryvale High School in Cheektowaga, NY, graduating second in her class in 1956. She was always an active member of the Lutheran Church. Marie graduated with a sociology and psychology degree from Valparaiso University, where she met Arthur Sterling of Mt. Pleasant, OH. They married in 1959, and Marie joined him while he served in the US Army. Together they had three sons, David, Daniel and Timothy. She lovingly took care of Art, their boys and their home while being extremely supportive of her husband’s career as CEO of Dage Television Company, an electronics engineering company in Michigan City, IN. Later, Marie and Art formed a family run company with their three sons.
Marie was active in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, where she was a Sunday school teacher and a leader of countless women’s Bible studies. She operated a Christian book business, was a substitute schoolteacher, and was also an active supporter of Children’s Haven International in Reynosa, Mexico.
After their retirement in 2003, Marie and Art moved to Edmond, OK searching for warmer weather, which provided an additional blessing of being closer to their youngest son and grandchildren. In further searching for warmer weather, they spent their retirement winters at Paradise Park in McAllen, TX with some of Art’s brothers.
Some of Marie’s many hobbies included swimming, cooking, painting (both watercolor and oil based) and traveling (including many trips in their RV). One of her true gifts and what she loved the most was praying for and sharing the love of Jesus with others.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Fredrick Rambo and Helen Thomas Rambo and brother-in-law Victor Sterling of Rayland, OH. Marie is survived by her husband Arthur Sterling, sons David Sterling (and wife Diane) of Schaumburg, IL, Daniel Sterling (and wife Caryn) of Fenton, MO, and Timothy Sterling (and wife Ginger) of Edmond, OK, granddaughter Katherine Wacker (and husband Robert) of Sarver, PA, grandson Alexander Sterling of Schaumburg, IL, granddaughter Kassi Fey (and husband Chris) of Ballwin, MO, grandsons Aaron Sterling (and wife Katherine) of Alpharetta, GA, and Edward Sterling (and wife Kylie) of Columbia, MO, granddaughter Kayla Sterling of Edmond, OK, grandsons Carter Sterling and Levi Sterling of Edmond, OK, great-grandson Tobias Wacker of Sarver, PA, and also a great-grandson Wacker on the way. Marie is also survived by her beloved older sister, Marlene Rambo Taylor of NJ as well as numerous nieces, nephews and close friends she calls family.
Christian Funeral Friday, 2pm at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Edmond, OK with interment following at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery in Oklahoma City, OK.
Memorials can be made to Children’s Haven International, 400 Minnesota International, Pharr, TX 78577.
My Aunt Marie ( my Godmother) was a quiet, caring, loving, funny soul. Our family loved her dearly. I remember as kids when she left from a visit to our house we always cried ( pretending to have something in our eye so no one knew we were crying!)
When I think of her now I see her in heaven with her mom and dad and little dog, and my nephew John and it makes me happy. 💘
Marie brought joy and laughter to family gatherings I was blessed to be a part of. She loved her boys and extended family deeply. She also loved the Lord.
May her legacy live on through all she touched.
My mom was a very loving mother, wife and grandmother. She cared for her family and extended family very much. She loved and followed Jesus. As humans still of this world, we are sad and miss her. But, we rejoice that she is now in a better place with Jesus and reunited with her mom/dad and other family (and with no more pain, worries or tears).
My aunt Marie was such a beautiful soul. There are so many happy memories of our time of growing up and loved to visit them any time we could. She was very tenderhearted when it came to animals and that was something we always shared. Aunt Marie loved all of us and loved the Lord. I can never repay the kindness she showed me and I know my son John Kyle greeted her in heaven with open arms!
I am so sorry to hear of Marie’s passing. We went to school together at Maryvale in Cheektowaga. I got to visit with Marie several times a few years back when we were living in Luther. Due to my husband’s illness we did not get to visit any more. Prayers are with your family as I know she loved all of you.