Marianne nee’ Pfanzelt Tovar was born at home on July 5, 1929 in the beautiful village of Kottern which is on the outskirts of Kempten im Algau which is in the Bavarian state of Germany where milk and honey flowed. She was one of six children born to Johann Pfanzelt and Anna Hehl. Theirs was a loving Catholic family who together, survived World War II intact. Mother was a child of the mountains, she climbed them, rode her bicycle through them and she loved to sing and dance. Mother was also an accomplished cook and after the War, she went to Switzerland where she worked as a live-in cook for several families in Zurich and in Bern. In Zurich she would meet Vreni who became a life long friend. After 5 years she returned to Germany where she would meet her soon to be husband, Pedro Tovar who was an American Soldier serving in Germany. After a whirlwind courtship, they married and while stationed in Frankfurt, they welcomed their first child, Adela. Mother thought the streets in America were paved with gold and when Adela was six months old, the Army stationed Dad in Ft. Dix, NJ. We arrived in America on the USS Patch. Mom busied herself making a new home, raising Adela and learning English while watching Kaptan Kangaroo with Adela and reading her Little Golden Books. Mother made a home wherever the Army sent Dad and we would move just about every two years, back to Germany where Carmen was born and then on to Ft. Benning, GA, then to Denver while Dad served two tours in Vietnam, then came Ft. Holabird in Maryland, then back to Denver when Dad returned to Vietnam and upon Dad’s safe return home, we went to Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. Dad finally retired from the Army and our family returned to Denver where Mother would live until Dad passed away in 2002.

In 2003 Mom made the hard decision to leave Carmen and her family and so many dear friends in Denver and start a new life in Tennessee with Adela and her husband Eddie where she lived for over 20 years making new friends. Mom looked forward to attending Mass at St. Therese and made so many friends there. She loved to keep busy and she made the trip into Cleveland Monday through Friday to take exercise either at the Senior Center or at St. Therese. She was filled with such energy and enthusiasm and possessed an inner strength and dignity that is hard to find in the world today. She always made a person feel special and that she genuinely was glad to see you. Her accent was endearing and everyone loved Marianne! A highlight was Mom’s 90th Birthday party. Her niece Traudie from Germany made the trip as did Carmen and our home welcomed over 50 people to celebrate Mom. What a day it was!

When Mom’s health began to fail, there were doctors and nurses who took such good care of her. Mom would brag on her doctors telling anyone that her doctors were doctors and did not treat their patients like a number. Of note, is Dr. Mark Freeman who repaired Mom’s hip, Galen Medical doctors Walter Parkhurst, Julie Haun and Sarah Harris Evans, and Drs. G. Seth Ford, Randal Funderburk and Paul Mallory who took such good care of Mom’s eyes. Mother never failed to gift European chocolate to her doctors and their nurses. As it became more and more difficult for Mom, the decision was made to call in Hospice and that entire Hospice of Chattanooga – Cleveland Team, especially Lee, Sandra and Chaplain Shawn so lovingly cared for Mom as did Misty Moore who sat with Mom and listened to all those childhood stories, of Wartime Germany, of dancing and singing and the many good times with family and friends. These good people surrounded us with love and compassion and our family will be eternally grateful.

Mom liked to say that Jesus is my home and in the evening hours of June 1, 2026 the good Lord released her and welcomed her home. Marianne Tovar leaves behind her daughter Adela and husband Eddie and her daughter Carmen and grandchildren Cyanne and Brandon. Good friends Oscar and Marcella, Dorin, Ursula and Charlotte are also left behind to cherish her memory. We will miss her dreadfully and forever. Auf Wiedersehen Liebe Mutter, bis wir uns wiedersehen.

Please join the family at St. Therese for a visitation from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with a funeral mass directly following visitation. There will be a meal provided at St. Therese Catholic Church directly after services. 

Buckner & Fike is in charge of all arrangements.