Marilyn Lang

Marilyn Lang was an amazing woman who brought others so much joy simply by being who she was each and every day. She was the original “Martha Stewart” who cooked scrumptious dishes from the simple, to the more elaborate, and she always displayed her finished dish just so. Marilyn continually looked her best and loved her “bling” with silver jewelry being her favorite. She had a bit of a lead foot and will be greatly remembered for driving around town in her big Ford LTD. Although Marilyn enjoyed a diverse palette of interests, her greatest love was reserved for the family she held most dear.

As WWII raged on overseas, Americans back home continued on with life, and in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fred and Elsie (Nelson) Lang were celebrating the birth of their daughter, Marilyn Kay on August 29, 1942. Born as the middle child of three in her family, Marilyn spent most of her childhood in a home on the lower west side of Grand Rapids. Although she experienced times of struggle during her childhood, she also was blessed with many fun times like “huckstering” fruit with her father. Marilyn also enjoyed doing silly things with her siblings, liked making wagons out of fish crates, and at times was able to buy candy and Nehi soda from the local five and dime stores.

After graduating from Union High School, Marilyn went to work at Kroger where she worked predominantly as a cashier. It was there that she met Ralph DeBoer with whom she began a relationship. After dating for a time, the couple was married and was soon blessed with the birth of their daughter, Debbie, who was born while they were living on the northeast side of the city. Shortly after they welcomed their son Jeff into the family, Ralph’s job soon relocated the young family to North Muskegon.

Although their marriage eventually ended in divorce several years later, Marilyn and Ralph made precious memories with their children that will be forever cherished. In the DeBoer family, fun reigned supreme, and they spent many weekends at Marilyn’s family getaway in Manton, located in northern Michigan. They often gathered as an extended family with Marilyn’s siblings and their families where there were so many treasured memories established. Marilyn participated in numerous activities while there including playing cards and outdoor games, snowmobiling, collecting maple syrup, cross country skiing, and one of her favorite activities, mushrooming. One of Marilyn’s favorite things to do there, however, was to go to the carnival and along with her father, play carnival games until they had won a prize for each child. Oftentimes, their family spent the holidays in Manton, or for several years, they traveled to Florida to celebrate Christmas and take in the New Year.

When she was at home, Marilyn ran a tight ship. She was meticulously clean and liked things just so. She loved to plan gatherings, and their home on Bear Lake became another favorite place for her family and friends to gather. Marilyn loved to spoil her family and her guests alike with her exquisite food and baked goods. She never just set the food out either, rather she showcased it, putting vast amounts of effort into carving fruit and making other creative presentations. The most important part of any meal in Marilyn’s house was always dessert and like her mother, Marilyn knew how to bake. Even if dessert was not something she had baked, Marilyn’s meals were always accompanied by a sweet end.

There were so many things that made Marilyn such a unique gift to so many. She had a sweet tooth and loved any kind of candy, but was partial to anything chocolate, often making it a late night snack. She loved shopping and could spend hours in a store just looking long after everyone else was ready to move on. When Marilyn went shopping, there was no such thing as a quick trip – she always had to explore everything including the clearance bin and the jewelry counter. Marilyn was always looking for a great deal, and the jewelry she found was a crucial part of the way she dressed. At all times, Marilyn matched from her head to her toes, even down to her nail polish! Although Marilyn was not blessed with a thick head of hair, she did manage to spend a couple of hours getting it ready, often causing Marilyn to arrive “fashionably late.”

Marilyn enjoyed a number of interests that she often pursued. In whatever she did, once she was interested, it was usually full speed ahead! She loved Elvis and even took a trip to Graceland in 1979, but no matter how hard she tried, she wasn’t able to get inside, and she always wanted to go back. Marilyn was very crafty, in fact her daughter says she could take a pile of anything and make it look good. She was interested in country crafts and antiques too. Marilyn began working outside of the home again, running a consignment store, then a few different retail stores, and then eventually she found long term employment at Meijer. For a time, she worked at the Meijer in Grand Haven before she moved to the newer Holland store where she remained until her health no longer allowed. While at Meijer, Marilyn worked at the jewelry counter – a job she truly loved of course!

Of all the ways Marilyn spent her time, her most precious times were spent with family. She adored being a grandmother, and took full advantage of any opportunity to watch over them. Known as “Nannie” or simply “Grandma” to her grandchildren, she was famous for spoiling them with special finds she picked up for them, and her grandchildren will always remember her “Friday Surprise Bags.” She loved sharing times of imaginative play with her grandchildren including telling stories of the Hundred Acre Wood in which her favorite character was always Eeyore. In whatever she was doing with her grandchildren, Marilyn always had a way of making each of them feel special. She also loved spending time with her nieces and her great-nieces and great-nephews.

Marilyn Lang was a rare gem who was fun-loving and knew how to laugh and tease, particularly with her father. She was strong-willed and opinionated, and could even be stubborn when it came to matters she felt passionate about. As Marilyn’s health issues began to overcome her, she enjoyed ice cream and cake with her family in celebration of her birthday, but said that she looked forward to spending her actual birthday with Jesus, and she indeed got her wish. Marilyn will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Marilyn K. Lang of West Olive died on August 29, 2009. Marilyn’s family includes her children, Debbie (John) Paquin, Jeff (Cheri) DeBoer; grandchildren, Jake, Matt and Jessie Paquin, Meghan, Kaitlyn and Ryan DeBoer; nieces Brenda Bolhouse and family, Teresa Zomberg and family. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Elsie Lang; her brother Fred Lang Jr.; sister Barbara Gillis. A service to celebrate Marilyn’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 2 at 1 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien-Creston – Grand Rapids, MI, where relatives and friends may visit with her family for one hour prior to the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory.