In Memory
Marie Talberg Almlie ’57

Passed away in 1992.

Reflections from her son, Jurgan Almlie.

Marie Annette Talberg and her family, Vernon, then (L-R) Jurgan, William and Ann (in her arms). 1967.

Marie Talberg married Vernon Almlie. She has three children, Jurgan, William and Ann and nine grandchildren. Along with her mom and dad, she had six brothers and sisters and 30-some nieces and nephews along with her own aunts and uncles, her own cousins and in-laws. She loved, adored and cherished them all.

If she were to have a theme in her life, it was that music made a person’s life better. She’d teach music to anyone who asked and it was her joy to share the joy they found in music. Music was one cause that mattered to her and she served that cause one person, one child at a time. She taught that music was more than notes or style — it was something that flowed out and to others, something freely given and freely enjoyed.

She taught professionally at all levels. She taught High School, Music and English She taught nursery school. She taught piano pedagogy at Valley City State University. She taught piano privately her entire career. She shared her joy of music with others, giving countless educational sessions to other music and piano teachers and her joy was infectious. She served in numerous positions for the Montana and North Dakota Music Teachers Associations.

Her family was big to her. It was a big family. Her love for them was unconditional and they loved her back unconditionally. Many a night she’d be on the phone listening to someone, caring and helping where possible. She enjoyed family events, her sisters and brothers, sisters and brothers in laws, nieces and nephews. She enjoyed laughter and fun. Many were the times I’d find my mom and someone in hysterics, laughing from some joke she had heard or told. There was one day that my Mom, my aunt and my grandmother decided it was time to have all the cousins see “Stars through a coat sleeve”. Each of the cousins present was led outside individually, told to kneel to look up a coat sleeve that the aunt and grandmother held. After doing so and looking up through the sleeve, a cup of water was poured down. It’s a laugh I cherish.

As a testament to her faith, she sang in choirs, played organ, would accompany any student who wanted to perform for a church service and had her family perform at her mother’s church for Easter services. Many were the Sundays that she’d be at one church for a service, only to run off to another church to help some student.

Marie succumbed to cancer April of 1992. In the last stages, she knew she was in a race. She fought it as best as anyone could. She taught piano until her last week, until she couldn’t get up anymore and had to be carried to the hospital. There was always one more child she could teach. Hundreds of friends and family attended the two funerals held for her — one in Valley City, N.D., and the last in Glendorado, Minn., where she rests now.

Macalester was very special to my Mom. The facility she met, the friends she made and what she learned helped prepare her for what was to come. I have one story that connects my mom, Macalester and me. While she was home from school, she was telling her father and mother, George and Ruth, about how hard it was to make ends meet and that she might have to quit college. Her father told her simply, “You can always find a reason to quit.” In other words, he was telling her success takes work. It’s a fun story to tell and I hope it’s true. She succeeded. My Mom certainly lived with that in the back of her mind. Funny how she never made the work hard, she made it fun and a reward.

Music flowed through her life, her faith and her family and she shared it with joy and love.