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HEMLER -- Marjorie June Hemler (Nee Ericksen) died on Friday, March 16, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1929, in Long Branch, NJ. The oldest daughter of Margaret and Svend Ericksen, she grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and Great Neck, Long Island, where she graduated from Great Neck High School in June 1948. During her high school years, she was very active in swimming, winning a number of trophies and medals. During these years, she also helped establish and organize a chapter of The Order of Rainbow Girls, rising to the top position of Worthy Advisor, and awarded the highest medal, the Grand Cross of Colors. In 1941-1948, she was elected Grand Hope, Order of Rainbow Girls, for the State of New York. She was also a hospital aide, beginning a long career of volunteerism. During her senior high school year, she met John V. Hemler, Jr., a New Mexico native, born in Carlsbad, who was a plebe (freshman) at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. After a 3 1/ 2 year courtship, up on his graduation, they were married at the cadet chapel on June 6, 1951, with all of the traditions of a military wedding. During the next 28 years of their military life, she served as a volunteer for hospitals, children's groups, officer wives clubs, etc. Some notable examples were: A. A volunteer and leader of Camp Fire Girls, Girl Scout, and Cub Scout groups in various locations, including Fort Bliss, TX Fort Leavenworth, KS, Washington, D.C., Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania and Germany. B. Volunteer worker and hospital aide at Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C., during the mid-60's stage of the Vietnam War. C. Acted as surrogate mother to over two dozen wives of young officers and enlisted men, while her husband commanded an artillery battalion in Buedingen, Germany, 1968-70. Became a godmother to over a dozen children born during this time. D. During the eighteen months that her husband was in Vietnam, 1971-72, she was chair woman of the Geographic Widows Organization at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Together with a small volunteer staff, she aided, assisted, and comforted over fifty wives whose husbands were MIA (missing in action) or stationed in Vietnam, Korea, other isolated areas. The Commanding General of Carlisle Barracks (U.S. Army War College) recognized her actions in an official commendation. When her husband retired from the army in 1979 and became involved in New Mexico politics, she quickly adapted to "civilian life." She worked tirelessly in giving candidate fundraisers, registering voters, walking precincts and serving as a poll worker. She was a member of the committee (1986-87) to redecorate/refurbish the Governor's Mansion in Santa Fe and, again applied her energies and efforts in assisting Mrs. Carruthers in the planning and execution of the fundraising to do this. During the late 1980's, she served as a director on the Taylor Ranch Neighborhood Association board and was active in planning Association events such as parades, Easter egg hunts, Christmas parties and painting out graffiti in the neighborhood. All of her life she was devoted to helping others and working to serve her family, her community and her country. She is survived by her husband, daughter, Kathleen Ann Mason and her husband, Richard of Phoenix, AZ; son, John Russell Hemler, Glendale, AZ; two sisters, Mrs. Jane Casey and Mrs. Wendy Freylen, both of The Villages, FL; four grandsons, Matthew, David, Daniel and Michael Mason, and granddaughter Karissa Hemler. A viewing will be held at French Mortuary Westside Chapel, 9300 Golf Course Rd. NW from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 23 and a Funeral Service will be held at the Cross of Hope Lutheran Church, 6104 Taylor Ranch Rd., NW at 11:00, Saturday March 24, with Pastor Dale Bauer conducting the services. A reception following the services will be held at the Hemler home, 6105 Flor De Rio, NW. She is to be cremated. It is tentatively planned that her ashes be interred at the West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY, at a yet to be determined date. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations, in her name, be made to the American Cancer Society or local Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts organizations. French Mortuary 9300 Golf Course Rd. NW (505)-897-0300 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Thu March 22, 2007