Marie Exler

Marie W. Exler, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, March 4, 2007, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Aug. 11, 1914, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Theodore and Laura "Lollie" Exler Gerlach. She and Paul Webber were married Oct. 17, 1942, in Cape Girardeau. He died Dec. 6, 1957. She later married Ralph B. Exler Nov. 11, 1973, in Paris, Tenn. He died June 7, 1999.

She was a member of Hanover Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, LWML, member and former president of the Lutheran Home Auxiliary and had been involved with Girl Scouts.

Exler worked as a sales clerk at J.C. Penney and Milady's in Cape Girardeau. Later she was historian at Trail of Tears State Park, retiring in December 1994. She wrote the book "Tears of the Trail," which was published by Southeast Missouri State University.

She is survived by a stepson, Lee Exler and wife Pam of Cape Girardeau; a stepdaughter, Carol Koeppel and husband Fred of Jackson; a sister, Laura Weiss of Cape Girardeau; two grandchildren, Amber Culbreth and husband Joey of Knoxville, Tenn., and Andy Exler and wife Cara of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and a sister, Helen Gerlach.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home today from 4 to 8 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Daniel Hackney officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Hanover Lutheran Church Building Fund or the Lutheran Home Auxiliary.