Marie Ann (Toepfer) Kanning passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born in Peru, Indiana on September 8, 1941, to the late Clemens and Helen (Kaiser) Toepfer. She married Gerald (Jerry) L. Kanning of Fort Wayne at St. John's Lutheran Church, Peru, Indiana on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1965, and they were blessed with 58 years together. Marie grew up in Peru attending St. John's Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She graduated from St. John's Lutheran Grade School in 1955 and Peru High School as Valedictorian in 1959. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Valparaiso University in 1963 and a Master's Degree from Indiana University, Fort Wayne. Marie taught fourth grade at the former Anthony Wayne Grade School, freshman English at Concordia Lutheran High School, and Kindergarten at First Christian Union Preschool & Kindergarten, and she has many fond memories of her students (two of whom were her daughters). After retiring from teaching in 1993, she worked part-time at the Heart Center/Lutheran Medical Group and became an avid world traveler. Besides her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, and a triplet infant daughter, Gerri Ann Kanning. Marie is survived by her daughters, Gail E. Kanning and Gwen H. Kanning, and a sister, Janet L. Toepfer, all of Fort Wayne. Marie was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 917 West Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802. A visitation will be at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. before the service. The funeral service will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024 with Rev. Thomas A. Eggold and Rev. Daniel Sheafer officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the following: the Preschool of Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School, 1123 Union Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802. "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25).