Marie came to America with a wealthy Mrs. Long in 1903. Mrs. Long came to Harburg with her 6-month old son to visit for 8 weeks, and Marie watched the baby during her stay. Marie asked if she could return with Mrs. Long to be the baby's nursemaid, and the offer was accepted. They arrived at Ellis Island, where Marie was shielded from most of horrors by being in Mrs. Long's company. After working for the Longs for a year, Mrs. Weltfisch offered her a position to watch her two girls. She met William Jurgens in 1904, and they decided to get married after dating for a year. They were engaged for 6 months, and married in 1906.