Marian Rose Garbers

Marian Rose (Grabowski) Garbers, 88, of Elberfeld, Indiana, passed away on March 31, 2026, peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on October 18, 1937, in Evansville, Indiana, to Leo and Marie (Bender) Grabowski. She attended Mater Dei High School and then graduated from Haubstadt High School and Lockyear Business College.

Marian married the love of her life, Melvin “Mel” Garbers, when they were both 21. They spent over 66 beautiful years together. After beginning a career in banking, Marian stepped away to dedicate herself fully to raising a family. Marian loved her two children fiercely, supporting their interests and encouraging their academic pursuits. She was both her son’s and her daughter’s biggest fans.

Once her children left the nest, Marian returned to banking, retiring many years late from Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union. Upon retirement, Marian and Mel began a new adventure together, enjoying many sun-filled, windblown days riding their Harley-Davidson trike with dear friends Linda and Tom Robeson and many other friends. Marian never lost her sense of humor — on a dare at age 70, Marian got a tattoo of a butterfly. She liked it so much, she later added a rose tattoo.

Marian found beauty in the simple gifts of life: tending flowers, feeding birds and squirrels, the music of Elvis Presley, road trips and meals with family and friends. She also had a deep love for animals and fostered kittens for Warrick Humane Society, sweetly bottle-feeding a tiny two-week-old kitten she named Leo, who joined their loving family. Her beloved cats April, Bubby, Sissy and Leo held a special place in her heart. She was a devoted lifelong Catholic and a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Evansville.

Marian is survived by her husband Mel, son Mike (Rita) Garbers, daughter Leanne Garbers (Jeff Wade), brother Dan (Irene) Grabowski, grandson Brian (Lauren) Garbers, great granddaughters Allison and Aspen Garbers, and many step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Her parents Leo and Marie Grabowski, sister Rosalee Grabowski and her beloved pets are already in heaven, welcoming her home.

The family thanks Dr. Don Brake, the nurses and aides at West River Health Campus, Heart to Heart Hospice and Visiting Angels Home Health for their compassionate care and emotional support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. A private interment ceremony will take place later at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Evansville. Visitation will be held at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Volkman Chapel, in Elberfeld, Indiana from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday April 6, 2026, and at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 10:00 AM until mass begins. The Mass will also be live streamed on the St. John the Evangelist's website at catholicdaylight.org.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Warrick Humane Society or St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

“If good things lasted forever, would we appreciate how precious they are?” ~ Hobbes