Marion Irene Manthei of Fountain, CO, passed away on November 8, 2026, at the age of 93. She was born in Fargo, ND on April 1, 1933, the fifth of seven girls born to David Erich Fraase and Anna Ida (Henschel) Fraase. She grew up in Embden, ND, and attended school there through the 8th grade. She met her husband, Charles Peter Manthei, when he came to that area to work on his uncle’s farm. They married in Alice, ND on May 14, 1952, and eventually came to own a farm south of Glenwood, MN, where they raised their children and ran a small family dairy.
Marion and Chuck moved to Woodland Park, CO in 1981 and settled in Colorado Springs soon after. Marion lived out her faith in Jesus every day and devoted herself to prayer and study of the Scriptures. Professionally, she earned a medical assistant degree and worked at a pediatric office for many years before retiring. She enjoyed an active life, hiking, and camping with her family as well as gardening at home. Music (singing and piano) also played a significant role in her life since childhood, and she had grown up as an avid horsewoman. In 1982 she took a month-long horse-riding adventure across the wilds of Minnesota and into North Dakota accompanied by her dear friend and fellow rider, Meigan Bellows. Throughout every season of her life, Marion’s family recalls her enthusiasm for playing cards and other games, especially those that lent themselves to frequent laughter amid the rousing competition.
Marion is survived by three children; daughter, Diane Marie (James) Campbell, son, Michael Thomas (Suzanne) Manthei, and daughter, Janice Lee (Rick) Harlow; two sisters: Rose Thompson and Janice Stevenson; five grandchildren: Richard Charles (Stacey) Campbell, Jessica Suzanne (Schuyler) Chandler, Michelle Leana Manthei, Caroline Virginia (Pierce) Wardman, and Emily Anne (Aaron) Boyd; and five great-grandchildren (plus a sixth on the way). She was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck, her son, Charles Dean Manthei, and her great-granddaughter, Makenzie Lynne Campbell. She is also mourned by a host of extended family and friends who she treasured in this life.
Visitation will be held, Tuesday, November 17th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Graveside services will be held Thursday, November 19th at 1:00 pm at Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expy, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
A Celebration of Life will be held at Rocky Mountain Calvary (Colorado Springs) on Thursday, December 3rd at 2:00 pm.