Marjorie Peterson

With her unwavering faith along with her quiet strength and unending courage, Marjorie Peterson was an inspiration to her family. Through her unconditional love and acts of selfless service, she exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. Marjorie was blessed to share more than 54 years with the love of her life with whom she witnessed her family tree blossom to include the generations who were her greatest source of pride and joy. A devoted friend, she never met a stranger, and her genuine concern for others was easy to see. A true blessing in every way, Marjorie Peterson will be dearly missed while her legacy is proudly carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

Although the 1930s were darkened by the Great Depression, there were milestones to celebrate that proved that the America spirit remained. The completion of both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building while the streets of New York City came alive with the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade were just what we needed to boost our spirits. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1938 that was filled with great joy for Elle and Olga Lorraine (Bolier) Koenes as they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Marjorie Ellen, on February 28th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was one of three girls in her family and was raised alongside her sisters, Judy and Dena, in the family home on Davis Street, NW. Marjorie’s father was a self-employed painter and decorator while her mother kept the books for her husband and was a busy homemaker. She and her family were members of Berean Bible Church where they attended every Sunday and Wednesday, taking the bus to and from wherever they needed to go as they had no car.

In many ways Marjorie was a typical girl of her generation. She was a student at Harrison Park Elementary and later went on to Union High School. Marjorie was a very social person with countless girlfriends, many of whom became lifelong friends. She loved heading to the beach in Grand Haven in the summer, and after her father had a car she enjoyed taking it to swim in the pool at Richmond Park.

After graduating from high school in 1955, Marjorie took a job as a secretary at American Boxboard where she worked for seven years. She was a very frugal girl who saved her money rather than spent it.

New and exciting changes were in store for Marjorie when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was David Peterson, and they met through a friend. A dating relationship began in January of 1959, and it was less than a year later that they were united in marriage on September 25th at Fairview Reformed Church. The newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon to Niagara Falls, New York.

The couple moved into a trailer while their home was being built on Leonard Street at which time they were members of Highland Hills Christian Reformed Church. They spent 22 years in their home on Leonard until David’s job took them to Kalamazoo where they lived for 18 years before returning to Grand Rapids.

Life truly began when Marjorie and David became the parents of two wonderful children including their son, David, and their daughter, Denise. They enjoyed being together as a family no matter what they were doing. There were numerous camping trips to various locations in Northern Michigan as well as in the Upper Peninsula. For a time they camped in a tent, but they later graduated to a travel trailer with several praise gatherings being among the places they went. Marjorie loved Southern gospel music including anything from the Gaithers as watching the Gaither Homecoming was something she loved throughout her entire life. The Peterson's were later members of Westwood Christian Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, Fairhaven Reformed Church and the Standale Reformed Church after that.

The moments Marjorie treasured most were the ones spent with her loved ones. For several years their cottage on Long Lake provided the backdrop for countless shared moments, and later in life they bought a summer trailer at Sandy Pines. Once grandchildren came along Marjorie couldn’t get enough of being with her five grandchildren. She also never missed any of their birthdays and was there to celebrate every one of their special days as well. Playing card games together was something that both Marjorie and her grandchildren loved. After retiring Marjorie and David bought a home in Mesa, Arizona, where they spent their winters for numerous years. Friends held a special place in her heart, too, and she loved going out to lunch with a big group of friends whenever she could. They also kept in touch by phone, and Marjorie was very empathetic and concerned about what was going on in the lives of her loved ones. She loved helping others however she could, even if it was just with a phone call to lift someone’s spirits. As her family and friends can attest, Marjorie was an avid Detroit Tigers fan who loved keeping up with their games whether on the radio or on television.

Even though Marjorie suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for over 50 years, which was very debilitating at times, she never let it get her down or affect her life any more than it absolutely had to. Few knew the extent of what she endured. The last year was filled with severe pain, but David was able to keep her at home with helpers who came in. Just last week Marjorie was moved to Holland Home and then to Blodgett Hospital just one day later.

Described as a hero to her children, Marjorie Peterson was a loving wife, devoted mother, and proud grandmother whose family was her greatest treasure. She was always smiling, always giving, and always gracious. With her warm demeanor and positive attitude, Marjorie brought such beauty to the world around her. She will never be forgotten.

Mrs. Marjorie E. Peterson, (Koenes) aged 76, of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior, on Thursday, July 3, 2014, at Spectrum Health – Blodgett Hospital. She was preceded in death by her sister, Judy VanderPloeg. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, David Peterson; her children, David and Karen Peterson, Denise and Earl Przybylski; her grandchildren, Danielle, Jordan and Kelsey Peterson, Joy and Matthew Przybylski; her sister, Dena (Jack) Teitsma; her brother-in-law, Robert VanderPloeg; sister-in-law, Barbara Weller; many nieces, nephews and friends. Marjorie was a kind and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. The service to celebrate Marjorie’s life will be held on Monday, July 7, at 11:30 AM at Standale Reformed Church, 202 Cummings NW. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family on Sunday from 3:00 – 7:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, and again at the church on Monday from 10:30 AM until the service begins at 11:30 AM. Marjorie’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Holland Home Helpers for the love and care extended to Marjorie and her family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Holland Home Helpers, or the Arthritis Foundation. To read more about Marjorie’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.