Mariann Dahlby Pirkle, age 74, of Branson West, Missouri.

Mariann Dahlby Pirkle, age 74, of Branson West, Missouri, passed to her eternal home on Sunday, May 19, 2024, of the incurable Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was born on April 15, 1950, in Ahaus, Denmark, Mariann immigrated to the United States via Canada with her parents at a preschool age. She became a citizen of the United States and has always been proud of that fact. Mariann was preceded in death by her parents: Orla and Ellen Jorgensen of California (originally Denmark) and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins in Denmark and throughout the United States.

Mariann worked for the Plano Independent School District in Texas as a Special Education Aid and after obtaining her teaching certificate taught second and fourth grades, where she went on to earn her master’s degree in Elementary Education. Upon retirement, she worked part time as an Adjunct Professor for the University of Texas at Dallas. She oversaw and evaluated student teachers working in the classroom.

When her husband, Dennis, retired, they moved from the Dallas, Texas, area to Branson, Missouri, to enjoy lake life. She was an Ordained Presbyterian Ruling Elder and active member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church at Hideaway; Ozarks Women’s Association; and other charities around the area over the past twelve years. They loved to travel in their fifth-wheel trailer all across the United States and Canada focusing on nature and beauty.

Mariann is survived by her husband of nearly fifty-two years, Dennis; their daughter, Kimberly Parker; son-in-law, Jason Parker; grandson, Liam Parker of Murphy, Texas; and mother-in-law, Peggy Wolf of Springfield, Missouri.

At 11:00 a.m. Saturday June 22, 2024, we will celebrate Mariann's life in worship and a light lunch reception afterward. The service will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 30 James River Road, Kimberling City, Missouri, with Reverend Dennis Winzenried, Reverend Susan Rosenbaum, and Reverend Greg Esselman will officiating.

The family requests no flowers because they will wither and die; however, Living Memorials may be made in Mariann’s name to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church @ Hideaway, PO Box 1015, Branson West, Missouri 65737-1015, or In Time of Need Foundation (Community Foundation of the Ozarks), InTimeOfNeedFoundation.org or PO Box 8960, Springfield, Missouri 65801. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.