Marianne E. Anderson

Some people live long lives, scattered here and there with triumphs and achievements. Others, like Marianne Anderson, are granted a short time on earth, but are able to fill every day of their lives with energy, life and love. With a carefree and positive attitude, she approached life as the ultimate adventure and liked living life to the fullest. Her greatest happiness, however, was spending time with her family and friends, whom she loved dearly. The decade that gave us MTV, New Wave and Nintendo was the same one that also gave us Marianne. It was a fast paced period in our nations history, when trends changed from minute to minute and one never knew what computers were going to be able to do next. It was into these exciting times that Marianne Elizabeth Anderson was born on April 4, 1985, at Muskegon General Hospital to Charles and Sue (Anderson) Kooi. Marianne was so anxious to make her presence in the world that she insisted on coming 2 months early and weighed only 3 lbs. 15 oz. She spent the next several weeks at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids and was able to come home when she weighed 5 lbs. The youngest of five, Marianne was welcomed home by her three older sisters, Rochelle, Deanna and Melanie, and brother, Randy. With a face full of freckles and her sweet baby smiles, Marianne melted the hearts of everyone who loved her. An easygoing child, she loved watching Fraggle Rock, eating Golden Graham cereal and being a witch every Halloween. It was obvious from a young age that Marianne was full of energy and not afraid to try anything. Like when she was learning to ride a bike, she turned confidently to her mom and said, look at me just before hitting a pole. By the time Marianne was a teenager, she had traded her two-wheeler in for a four-wheeler, which was more her speed. Marianne loved her family, and was especially close with her sister, Melanie. She also loved to spend time with her Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, and looked forward to snipe hunting with her Grandpa. Although Marianne didnt mind getting down and dirty, she was a girly girl from head to toe. She loved brand name clothes, tanning and was never seen without makeup. Although her hair was a shiny brunette, Marianne had her fair share of blonde moments, which her family liked to call Mari moments. Both beautiful and outgoing, Marianne once entered a beauty pageant in Grand Rapids, and though she didnt win, she loved the excitement of the experience. Marianne received her education at Carr Elementary, Oakridge Middle School and Fruitport High. She had many friends in school and hung out a lot with her good friend, Michelle Huls. When it came time to learn to drive, Marianne was able to take drivers education with her sister, Melanie, and brother, Randy. By the end of the course, she proved to be a good driver, though often tempted by anything that went fast. In fact, after her boyfriend, Zeke, got her involved with jeeps and off-roading, she owned a few of her own as well as some other kinds of vehicles. To be flying down the road on the seat of a motorcycle life could get no better for Marianne! Marianne graduated from Fruitport High School in 2003, and began working full-time as an Assistant Service Manager at D Food Center in Grand Haven, where she held a job since her sophomore year in high school. She also continued her education and was presently attending Muskegon Community College. Aside from her academics, Marianne was always conscientious about helping her family in anyway she could. She loved spending time with them, and they enjoyed many great times together camping. Marianne was also very protective of her grandparents and she never grew to old to spend time with them. Marianne couldnt have been more excited when her sister, Melanie, had her daughter, Karissa. She was very close with Karissa, who affectionately called her Aunt Maro. Marianne also had a special love for her cat, Marvy, who had no voice box. Tragically, Marianne died on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at the age of 23, after a motorcycle accident - but doing what she loved the most. Although her life was all too brief, Marianne was a person who lived her life to the fullest. Her family and friends will forever cherish the memories of her smile, her enthusiasm, her love and compassion. Marianne is survived by her parents, Sue & Charles Kooi; grandparents, Allan & Nina Anderson of Muskegon and Thomas & Rosemary Kooi of Muskegon; 1 brother, Randy (Holly) Kooi of Nunica; 3 sisters: Melanie (Erich Fekken) Croff of Ravenna, Deanna (Kevin) Treptow of Norton Shores & Rochelle (Roy Walsh) Kooi of Muskegon Heights; 2 nieces, Karissa & Elisabeth; 1 nephew, James; many aunts, uncles & cousins. Services for Marianne will be held on Monday, June 16, at 3:00 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church of Muskegon with Rev. Eugene Kooi officiating. Friends and relatives may visit with her family on Monday from 2-3 p.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marianne E. Anderson Memorial Fund. Please visit Mariannes memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book.