Marian Plite

Whether she was serving beverages to thirsty customers as a young girl, preparing a scrumptious meal for her family, or traveling to a different state to visit with her children, Marian did them all with compassion and grace. Marian was a woman with a strong faith and a selfless heart who continuously placed the needs of others ahead of her own. She had a tremendous zest for life and viewed each day as a precious gift, embracing both the peaks and valleys along life’s journey.

The year 1916 was a turbulent one in our nation’s history as we were deeply entrenched in the throes of WWI. Claude and Nellie (Yomans) Tompkins, of Newaygo, Michigan were able to shift their focus to their own joyous time, however, as Nellie was due to give birth to their fourth child at any time. They were indeed blessed on October 18, 1916 with the healthy birth of their daughter Marian. Although Marian experienced a difficult childhood, she drew much joy and fulfillment through the close relationships she established with her siblings. During her younger years, Marian moved to Grand Rapids where she attended Oak Grove Elementary and later became a student at Union High School. Here, Marian was a good student who enjoyed attending school as well, and she later became a graduate. Marian was also fortunate to find work at Peck Drug Store where she worked at the soda fountain during a time when so many found it hard to secure a job as our country had become held tightly in the grip of the Great Depression.

Life took an exciting turn for Marian during this time as well when she met an intriguing young man named August Plite. A romance soon ensued and the young couple soon fell deeply in love and was united in marriage in Newaygo. The newlyweds settled in August’s hometown near Sand Lake, located in western Michigan. The couple was soon blessed with the births of three children: Howard, Barb, and Mary. Marian embraced her role as a mother, pouring herself into caring for their every need and primarily raising them as August worked hard to support his family. Marian established herself as a constant presence in the lives of her children and her children always felt that she would be there for them, was easy to talk to, and she created an environment where her children always felt the need to be honest with her. As a mother, Marian continuously sacrificed her own needs to tend to the needs of her children, whether great or small. She never asked her children to take on what she viewed as adult responsibilities and insisted that they just enjoy being kids.

Every day life with Marian consisted of many great memories being made with her children that will be forever cherished. She was a great cook and could seem to make a gourmet meal out of anything, a task that seemed to happen quite regularly. Every Saturday Marian worked a half day and then came home to do laundry in her crank washer and she meticulously kept her home clean as well. When her children were of school age they all had used uniforms which Marian washed every night and placed them by the furnace to dry during a time in which she didn’t even have hot water. Material things just were not of great importance to Marian; the only thing that mattered to her was spending time with her children and making sure that each of them knew that they were loved in their own unique way. Marian made precious memories with her children when she made popcorn and walked with them down to the movie theater to take in a show.

Life turned in a new direction in 1960 when her husband August died. Although she needed to adjust to life without him, in staying true to her laid back personality, Marian viewed this adjustment as an opportunity to walk through new doors. She spent weekends at her friend Ev’s cottage with her daughter Mary and traveled to California to see her daughter Barb or her son Howard as well. Marian also became very involved in helping Mary raise her children as well, becoming active in the lives of her grandchildren. Marian enjoyed spending time with Mary at the lake, riding on a golf cart. “White Grandma,” as she was lovingly known to her grandchildren, was friendly yet she remained quite private too.

There were many things that were unique to Marian, making her the special individual that her family and friends knew and loved. Faith was an important cornerstone in Marian’s life and she had an unwavering belief in the power of prayer. She always took everything in stride and believed that when the storms of life came, that things would one day get better. Marian always could be found with the radio on and she enjoyed reading and watching television as well, especially comedies. She was thrifty with her money and would always rather purchase things for others rather than for herself and she had a weakness for chocolate covered cherries.

Life again changed for Marian in 1999 when she suffered from macular degeneration, a condition which results in the loss of vision in the center of the visual field. This condition didn’t stop Marian from continuing to enjoy her trips to some favorite casinos where she played by feel, even winning $1000 a couple of times. In 2006, Marian suffered a stroke, a condition which would later strike again from which Marian was unable to recover.

Marian Plite was a woman of great strength who balanced that strength perfectly with grace and love. She was a woman of faith whose life was a constant reflection of the beliefs which she held so dear. Marian was a woman who was a bit “old school” and she never learned to drive, yet she lived her life with tremendous vibrancy and zest. Marian consistently cared for the needs of others more than her own needs, delighting in bringing light and life into the lives of those around her. To Marian, life was not about accolades, accomplishments, or material possessions, but about the relationships she had with the loved ones placed in her life. Marian spent a lifetime making treasured memories that will be forever etched on the hearts of all those she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed.

Marian Plite died on Monday, March 2, 2009. Marian’s family includes her children, Howard Plite, Barb (Robert) Van Dyke, and Mary Hanson; grandchildren, John (Michelle), Colleen, and Noah (Marla) Gregory, Frank Plite, and Gina Robinson; her 6 loving great-grandchildren; and close family friend, Carol Fries. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 9 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 851 Leonard St. NW. Friends may visit with the family for one hour prior to the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, or sign the guestbook if you are unable to attend