Marjorie Sanders

Marjorie Sanders was a woman who lived life to the fullest. Her zest for life was evident in her adventurous spirit and tenacious attitude. With her positive outlook, Marjorie looked forward to and cherished each new day. Foremost, her life was embraced by the love of family whom she took great joy in. A devoted wife and companion, dedicated and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Marjorie will be truly missed and lovingly remembered.

Marked by a time of prosperity in America, 1927 was a year filled with excitement as people everywhere enjoyed the tunes of Gershwin’s “Strike Up the Band” and Broadway musicals by the infamous Oscar Hammerstein and jazz great Duke Ellington. In a small town along the Michigan lakeshore, Gustaf Julius and Margaret Anne (Campbell) Johnson were celebrating exciting times of their own when they welcomed their second child, a little girl they named Marjorie Lou on January 19, 1927.

Born and raised in the industrial town of Ludington, Michigan in the family home, Marjorie and her older brother Gustaf were only a year and a half apart in age. When Marjorie was just a toddler, the Great Depression descended upon American homes everywhere, but their father provided a comfortable living for his family during these times of struggle with his work as a tool and die maker. Their mother was a homemaker, looking after Marjorie and her brother who attended the local schools.

As Marjorie grew older, her teen years were typical of a young girl during the early 40s. She spent many sun loving summer days at the beach along Lake Michigan, and loved to dance. In fact, Marjorie acquired quite a knack for the swing and jitterbug, among other popular dances of the time. She had a carefree and adventurous spirit. On the weekends, Marjorie and her friends would often hitchhike to attend some of the dances the various halls had to offer. During this time, Marjorie acquired a love for the big band sounds, swing music and jazz and well as country music, that continued throughout her life. After high school, she took on her first job at Handy Things, as a woodworker, making carrom game boards.

Marjorie’s high school years were an exciting time, and it was then that she was introduced to a young man named Donald Sanders. Her graduation from Ludington High School in 1945 was marked by joy as people the world over celebrated the end of World War II. Following high school, Donald and Marjorie continued their dating relationship for a few years, later making a lifelong commitment to one another in marriage at the home of her parents on July 29, 1950. Donald, 25 and Marjorie, 23, had a lifetime ahead of them. Their honeymoon was a trip up north to Mackinac Island and the upper peninsula.

Throughout their life together, Donald worked as a salesman for Levi Straus and Company. The young couple remained living in Ludington for a short time, later moving to Grand Rapids. They rented several apartments until they purchased their first home in 1951 on Ballard St. SE, where they remained for four years and began their family. Their lives were blessed with the birth of four wonderful daughters, Nancy, Marla, Mary Beth and Laura. Since Donald’s job required him to be on the road quite often, Marjorie saw to it that the home front was running smoothly, and caring and looking after the children. For this, Donald was always grateful.

Donald and Marjorie eventually moved their family to the west side of Grand Rapids in a home on Fourth Street where they lived for 17 years. It was here that their two oldest girls attended Union High School. When they decided to build a home in Tallmadge Township on Third Avenue, their youngest daughter, Laura, went on to attend Kenowa Hills. The Sanders' home was typically filled with the girl’s friends and became a place where everyone was welcome. They also hosted several exchange students throughout the years, making them a part of the family as well. Donald and Marjorie were very proud of their daughters, and the fact that each of them acquired a college education. After some time, Donald and Marjorie went on to build a second home, also on Third Avenue.

Marjorie never shied away from hard work, and didn’t mind getting her hands a little dirty either. She took charge of cutting up the firewood when needed, and enjoyed caring for all of the yard work. Her tenacious attitude and positive outlook never found her backing down from a challenge. With her love of the outdoors, Marjorie found joy in buying her produce fresh from the farmers market. Each year she was sure to can her own peaches, cherries, pickles, tomatoes, peppers and beets, often sharing them with family and friends.

As a family, they made precious memories together spending time at their cabin in the woods in Baldwin during the winter months. During the summer, they were sure to be found at their cottage on Clear Lake. It was here that Marjorie shared her love of the outdoors with her girls, teaching them to fish and water ski. She loved her children dearly, and her extended family as well. They did everything together, and shared each and every holiday, summer and winter together. As a family, they loved being in the company of one another. Marjorie loved to entertain, and their home was always open to family and friends alike. She made sure the kids had fun, instilling in them her zest for life. She was an attentive and loving mother who taught her children to be as adventurous as she was. She reveled becoming a grandparent, and loved her grandchildren and great grandkids dearly, as she did her entire family. She was always one to offer her unconditional, nurturing support. Tragedy struck the family when her daughter, Mary Beth was killed in an automobile accident in 1987. She was 30 years old.

Marjorie shared her adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors with Donald as well. They enjoyed deer hunting together, and Marjorie even processed the venison each year. She was a wonderful cook of venison too, but never quite acquired a liking for it though. They both loved going on their 22 foot boat, fishing for Coho, Salmon and Steelhead on the waters of Lake Michigan. Donald and Marjorie were not only life partners, they were also great friends who took great joy spending time together. Winters often found them taking day long trips snowmobiling. For 30 years, Marjorie and Donald traveled extensively, having visited over 40 countries and nearly every continent. From Alaska to the Ukraine, and in between, Donald and Marjorie did everything together, making great memories. Marjorie owned 2 Corvettes in her lifetime; a white 81" and a red 99' both a gift from Donald.

In her spare time, Marjorie loved to bowl and was a member of many leagues throughout the years. She was a great cook too. Some of her specialties included roast beef dinners, chop suey, rueben sandwiches, and spaghetti, as well as pork chops. She made wonderful sauerkraut from scratch with fresh cabbage she "acquired" from Bolthouse Farms near their home. Some of her best dishes were what she called “magazine miracles” that she cut from magazines, and her favorite cuisine was Chinese food. When she found time to watch television, Marjorie enjoyed the old programs like Andy Griffith, The Carol Burnett Show and Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy (Mom was our Lucy with frequent antics, that always made us laugh), soap operas and game shows. She treasured old time movies starring Cary Grant, Spencer Tracey and Rock Hudson as well. Marjorie was a great pet lover during her lifetime having many pets including a Mexican Chihuahua, a dog named Bully, for the last couple years.

Marjorie lived life to the fullest, loving every day of her life. She worked hard and played harder. Even with a diagnosis of diabetes at the age of 45, heart by-pass surgery 12 years ago, and a few stomach ulcers, Marjorie never allowed these illnesses to control her life. And even as the years began to creep up on her, her spirit was never quenched. Eventually, she and Donald moved to Sunrise of Cascade, a retirement community. While living there, Marjorie was nicknamed “Margie Go Go” and was known as the Wii bowling queen! She and Donald continued to be very active, on the go, and were always up for anything. After living in the retirement community for six months, they returned to their family home on Third Avenue where Margie would spend the rest of her days.

At the age of 82, Marjorie suddenly collapsed at home on Tuesday night, going into a diabetic coma. She was taken to Butterworth Hospital, never to regain consciousness. Marjorie sadly died on Wednesday evening, February 25, 2009 at 11:55 PM with her treasured and loving family by her side.

Marjorie will be remembered as a women who loved life to the fullest, making the most of each and every day. Foremost was her family whom she treasured and loved dearly. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. In Marjorie's high school year book, her last will and testement read. " I, Marjorie Johnson, will my laugh to any person who wants it"; that ramains true to this day.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gustaf and Margaret Johnson; her brother, Gustaf Johnson; her daughter, Mary Beth and son-in-law, Robert Williams. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Donald Sanders; her children, Nancy Williams, Marla Sanders and partner Ruth Estes, Laura and Mark DeGraaf; 5 grandchildren, Robert Williams, Jennifer Williams, Markie DrGraaf, D.J. DeGraaf, Danielle DeGraaf,2 great-grandchildren; Bobby Williams, Aleeiah Williams; nieces, nephews and many friends. A service to celebrate Marjorie’s life will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2009, 2:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home–Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, and on Sunday from 1 PM until the service begins. Contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign her online guest book, submit a photo or to leave a favorite memory of her.