Marie Caroline Noble

Marie Caroline Noble, 94, of St. Charles died Sunday May 2, 2004 at Whitewater Healthcare Center in St. Charles. Marie was born September 9, 1909 in Iron River, Michigan to Albert and Lillian Eckart. She married Harold Peterson in 1927, and they had two sons, Les and Win. Marie was very proud of her two sons, who have both had successful professional careers. Marie married Carl E.Noble in 1954. Carl was a well-known artist,who studied painting with Norman Rockwell. She and Carl also lived in Miami,Florida; Minneapolis, MN; and Boston, MA in pursuit of his work as a nationally recognized mural and portrait artist. Carl and Marie were a great team, and inspired by Carl's work, Marie also created many lovely paintings. Marie had a great love for art, color and style. After Carl passed away in 1972, Marie kept Carl's memory alive by opening a Bed & Breakfast in the old merchantile building in Weaver, MN that she and Carl had bought years before. Carl painted beautiful murals on the inside walls, which Marie turned into individual guest suites. The basement served as a festive party area, complete with murals of the Mississippi River bottoms, where Marie served her visitors wine and cheese. She later added an organ and disco ball to create a cozy setting for her visitors to talk, dance and listen to music. Marie had a thousand and one ideas, and tirelessly pursued her plans to promote her Bed & Breakfast. Her efforts earned the merchantile building a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Always a gracious hostess, Marie entertained her guests with tours of the grounds, while telling colorful stories of the building's history (Jesse James robbed the building while on his way to Northfield, MN). She also was quite adept at handwriting analysis, delighting visitors with her insight, wit and charm. Marie single handedly ran her bed and breakfast until the age of 90, when she broke her hip. She moved to St. Charles five years ago, with a vision of opening an art gallery downtown. Her greatest dream was alwaysto promote the arts. She was a businesswoman, an artist in her own right, and had the same motivation, determination, and passion for life in her nineties that she had as a young woman. Marie Noble was an inspiration, and will be lovingly remembered by her family and many friends. Rest in peace Marie, we will never forget you. Survivors include her two beloved sons, Les Peterson of Roseville, MN and Win Peterson of Vancover, WA; granddaughters Barbara Lisa Peterson of Colleyville, Texas, and Noel Lavallee of Utah; great-grandchildren Lorelei Peterson and Matthew Peterson of Colleyville, Texas; and 18 other grandchildren and great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her husband Carl, her brother, Clarence Eckert and her mother, Lillian Eckert.Funeral Services will be 1 PM Saturday at Hoff Funeral Home's - St. Charles Chapel with the Rev. James Callahan officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in Minneiska. Friends may call one hour before services at the funeral home on Saturday.