Marian Mars

Marian Lucille Mars was a skilled professional as well as a devoted family woman. She had an energy for life that allowed her to pursue an education and career that not many women of her generation were privileged to follow. She had a heart for service that benefited the lives of many and sacrificed for the ones she loved. Few people have the distinction of spanning more than a century of life and history. Within Marians lifetime, America transitioned from typewriters to computers, radio to television, train to plane travel, silent movies to digital film. Reflecting the times, books were written on topics that ranged from big business and workers rights to race relations and womens suffrage. Born February 25, 1910 in Muskegon, Michigan, Marian Lucille was the firstborn of Samuel and Lydia (Johnson) Page. Marian and her sister Johanne and brothers Leland, Warren and Walford grew up on Forest Avenue in the Nims School Neighborhood. In that same neighborhood, many of their relatives lived within a few blocks of them and formed a natural bond of closeness. The Samuel Page family were members of the Evangelical Covenant Church in downtown Muskegon, and the children attended Muskegon Public Schools. Marian enjoyed a fairly typical childhood in the days of horse and buggy, and during the winter, the family traveled in a horse-drawn sleigh to visit relatives in North Muskegon. Financially, times were tough but, like others of that era, they made the best of what they had and were grateful for the job Mr. Page had as a maintenance worker with Lakey Foundry. Marian would assume her place in the workforce after taking secretarial and office skills courses at Muskegon High School. In time, she became a bookkeeper and office manager for the Singer Sewing Machine company in downtown Muskegon. Unusual for her day, Marian continued to work after marriage and family, and her children experienced the fun of visiting her at work and talking on the company intercom. Not so fun was the fact that Marian wrote her Christmas shopping list in shorthand so the kids couldnt read it. Eventually, Marian went to work in the office of Northshore Tractor Sales and then at Seaway Appliance. Though she was an accomplished career woman, Marian was also blessed to be a wife and mother. She had met Manning Mars at a church outing and the two began dating. Marian and Manning, nicknamed Nun, (though no one remembered how he got the name) fell in love and married on September 25, 1933. They honeymooned at the Chicago Worlds Fair with a mere $2.50 in their pockets. The couple settled into a home on Hudson Street in the same neighborhood where Marian grew up. They became the proud parents of a daughter Sharlene, born in 1934, son Ron, born in 1942 and son Joel in 1947. As a family, they attended Mission Covenant Church, and Marian was an active member of Covenant Women. She also served as treasurer and was on the building committee when the church moved to Norton Shores and became Forest Park Evangelical Covenant Church. In 1960, the family moved to Ruddiman Avenue in North Muskegon and later to the Roodmont Neighborhood as an act of love and sacrifice. Marians brother Warren was a paraplegic, having been wounded in WWII. He needed a wheelchair for mobility, and in 1968, Marian,Nun and Warren built the house in Roodmont that was totally handicap accessible. Warren came to live with them at that time, and Marian retired her job to care for him full time for the rest of his life. Though he needed a wheelchair, Warren was fully able to get around with a car built specially for his driving needs, and in winter, the three of them traveled to Florida in an RV. Marian and Warren also took painting classes together and became quite good. She favored painting on china, but multi-talented Marian also developed skills as a seamstress. For one memorable trip, Marian and Nun traveled to the Holy Lands, yet she was just as thrilled by family picnics at Snug Harbor Resort or extended family gatherings at home for the holidays. Having her granddaughters stay with her during the summer months made for even closer ties with the ones she loved. When Warren died in 1990 and Nun in 1996, Marian continued to live on her own in the Roodmont house for a few years before moving into a duplex in Roosevelt Park. She still attended church and was able to drive until she was into her 90s. Only at age 102 did Marian move into assisted living at Christian Care. As always, she involved herself in the activities that were offered and liked visiting fellow residents. Marian leaves a legacy of love and devotion for those who had the privilege of knowing her along her journey of 104 years. Mrs. Marian Lucille Mars passed away Thursday, February 5, 2015. She is survived by her sons, Ron (Chip) Mars of Michigan City, IN, Joel (Gail) Mars of DeTour Village MI; grandchildren, Mary Larsen, Janet (Brad) Payne, David Olsen, Kryket Mars, Kolly (Teri) Mars, K.C. (Mariceli) Mars, Stacy (Tim) Bates, Andrew (Gina Anderson) Mars; 10 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Manning "Nun" in 1996; daughter, Sharlene Olsen in 2010; and siblings, Johanne Hoeker, Warren, Lee & Wally Page. A service celebrating her long life will be held Monday, February 9, 2015, 1:00 pm with visitation starting at noon at Forest Park Covenant Church with Rev. David McCowan officiating. Interment in Lakeside Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Forest Park Covenant Church.