Marilyn Frasier

When reflecting on the life of Marilyn Frasier, it is easy to see that her heart beat to serve the Lord she loved in ways both great and small. Marilyn truly embodied the fruits of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Nothing brought her more joy than helping and serving others. Marilyn's family was a great source of joy to her, and as the family grew she always made everyone feel very special. Her magnetic personality drew people to her, and she was a great friend to many people. Although she will be dearly missed, Marilyn’s family and friends find comfort in knowing that she is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home.

Life during the 1930's was primarily defined by the Great Depression. Jobs were hard to come by, a drought covered the nation’s heartland for nearly two years, and few Americans were spared the stress and strain of the times. Despite the trials around them, Edward and Rebecca (Solomon) Mayhew were filled with great joy when they welcomed their twins, Marilyn Ann and Lowell, into their hearts and home on May 30, 1934, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The twins joined their older sister Abby to complete the Mayhew family. The Mayhew children were raised in a white house at the corner of Plainfield and Fuller. Marilyn’s father owned an appliance repair shop on Leonard, and her mother was a nurse.

In many ways Marilyn was typical of girls in her generation. She had a good childhood enjoying things like swimming across, and ice skating on, nearby Softwater Lake. Marilyn liked the beach and sunbathing, and she was also close with the family Collie. As a student she attended North Park Elementary and then Creston High School. There is little doubt that Marilyn brought the same smile, sass and spunk to her school years that she maintained as an adult.

There was never anything of greater significance in Marilyn’s life than her family. She always felt that being a mother was one of life's greatest blessings. When she met, and later married, Charles "Chuck" Frasier they blended their two families beautifully. With the birth of their daughter, Kim, their family of five daughters was complete. Chuck and Marilyn spent their entire married life in Grand Rapids where they remained close with Chuck's former in-laws. This family was very supportive and influential in Chuck and Marilyn's faith and family life.

Around the home Marilyn was truly amazing. She loved decorating her house, and made it a home with all of her personal touches. Marilyn could stretch a budget, and had legendary thriftiness even washing zip lock bags for re-use. She also loved to cook and could throw together a fantastic meal with whatever she had in the house to serve unplanned guests. She kept an immaculate home, and although the girls were expected to help with the chores none could keep up with their mom. Marilyn also enjoyed working outside doing the all the weeding and even mopping the garage floor on occasion. In everything they did, she made sure her kids always had fun. They were able to take a few great vacations to a rental cottage in Fremont, but most of their fun happened on picnics and day trips. They also went to pick whatever was in season and then canned and froze what they picked. Marilyn was known for her famous peanut brittle that she made between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It became a major event as she eventually made over 40 batches in a single year. The joy of sharing this treat made the considerable time commitment worthwhile for Marilyn. Eventually she taught her kids and many others how to make it. The smiles, laughter and general chaos were all part of what made the process of making the peanut brittle with Marilyn so special.

There was never anything more important to Marilyn than the people in her life. She was a servant to her core, often asking if she could help others with something before they even had a chance to ask. It was always easy to see that helping others brought Marilyn great joy. She loved hosting gatherings, and she could usually be found in the kitchen making all kinds of delicious food for her guests to enjoy. Marilyn had many friends, and even functioned as a beautician giving many of them permanents in her home.

Marilyn was also a great role model for her family. She lovingly cared for her daughter Lynn, who had a variety of health issues and passed away at the age of 19. In addition to this, Marilyn also cared for her Aunt Abby and Chuck's Mom who both lived with Marilyn and Chuck when they were no longer able to live independently. She was an amazing grandmother, and was always available to help with her grandchildren without being asked. As a grandmother Marilyn was fun, spunky, and engaged with the kids on their level. In fact, she was willing to get on a trampoline and jump with them when she was well into her 50's! When they were younger she enjoyed babysitting the grandchildren, and as they got older she was always there to support them in their events and activities.

Throughout her life Marilyn was a bundle of energy and activity. Once her kids were older she became an endoscopy technician at Blodgett Hospital and worked there for 17 years. After that she cleaned houses, many belonging to doctors she had come to know, and she also spent several years working for Family Christian Bookstores. Marilyn and Chuck enjoyed traveling to places like Alaska, the Holy Lands, and the Bahamas. They also spent several winters in the Villages in Florida. Even more than their travels, being involved at her church, Fourth Reformed, was a priority to Marilyn. Many of her close friends were from church, and much of her social life involved activities associated with church. For many years, Marilyn made it a habit to invite someone from church to her home for a Sunday meal after the service. She also learned to golf so she could spend more time with Chuck, and she is still the only member of the family to have gotten a hole in one.

During her later years Marilyn and Chuck moved to Applewood Condos and also began attending New Community Church where they built many new friendships. In 2010, Marilyn was deeply saddened with Chuck’s death, and a short time later she moved to a condo in Raybrook. During this time, Marilyn met Marv Haveman, and they had a special friendship in her sunset years. While in Raybrook Marilyn experienced declining health, but this did not take away from her joyful heart. She was a blessing to those around her until her final days.

A humble servant of the Lord she loved, Marilyn Frasier was filled with joy in everything she did. Throughout the trials she faced, she unfailingly put the happiness and well being of others ahead of herself. Marilyn deeply loved the Lord and others, and she brought joy and grace wherever she went. Dearly loved, she will be forever missed.

Marilyn Ann Frasier, age 84, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on December 3, 2018 and is now rejoicing in the presence of her Lord and Savior. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; daughter, Lynn; granddaughter, Savannah; sister, Abby Molitor, and twin brother, Lowell Mayhew. Marilyn is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Barb and Mark Oosterink, Rebecca and Robert McGee, Laurie and Jim Morgan, Kim and Mike Ball; grandchildren Sumer (Michael) Hulik, Patti (Mike) Bartels, Daniel (Ella) Morgan, Nathan (Shanna) McGee, David (Alison) Morgan, Leah (Adam) Jenkins, Matthew (Angela) McGee, Jessica Ball, Joshua Ball, Jacob Ball; 14 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Doris Mayhew, and several nieces and nephews. Marilyn is also survived by her special friend, Marv Haveman.

The service to celebrate God's faithfulness and goodness through Marilyn's life will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 11 AM at New Community Church. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Wednesday, December 19 from 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, and on Thursday at church from 10 AM until the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Faith Hospice or the Holland Home. To learn more about Marilyn’s life, or to share a favorite memory or to sign the online register, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.