The Journey
Roots in Nuremberg
Marianne was born in Nuremberg, Germany, during the golden era of the Weimar Republic. Her father, Ludwig Strauss, was a physician born in 1890, and her mother, Alice, hailed from the neighboring village of Augsburg. Growing up in a middle-class household, her early years were relatively peaceful, though she felt the undercurrents of anti-semitism from a young age.
The Onset of Darkness
As the Nuremberg rallies spread propaganda and the Race Laws loomed, the world began to shift. In 1934, a patient of her father received a letter stating they could no longer visit a Jewish doctor. Recognizing the danger early, Marianne’s parents immigrated to America, while Marianne remained behind with her maternal grandparents for two years to complete her early schooling.
Resilience & A New Home
At age eight, Marianne reunited with her father in Falconer, New York. Adapting to America meant mastering a new language and culture while enduring the constant worry for her family still in Germany. She became known for her heroic determination and her resilient mantra—"whatever"—simply pushing through the hardships with an unbreakable spirit.
A Life of Purpose
In 1948, as Truman won a historic election and St. Louis was an industry powerhouse, Marianne moved to the city to build her future. She pursued a career as a Laboratory Technician, driven by a lifelong interest in biology. She became a deep patron of the arts, especially classical music, and lived a life defined by growth and remembrance until her passing in 2022.