Marjorie Fehrman

With an unwavering faith as the cornerstone in her life, Marjorie Fehrman lived a life that was focused on serving those around her. She was a born nurturer who considered it both her highest calling and her greatest blessing to be a mother and grandmother. Things only got better for Marjorie when she became a grandmother as her grandchildren were her greatest source of pride and joy. Second only to her faith was the love she had for her family, and she was selfless when it came to everyone around her. Truly beautiful on the inside and out, Margie will be forever missed.

The Roaring Twenties. What a great time to be an American! Innovation was leading the way to new and exciting places, and prosperity was felt nationwide. Movies came to life in both color and sound, jazz music made us feel so happy, and the lights of Broadway never shined brighter. It was just as spring was appearing on the horizon in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that James and Leona (Evans) LeBaron were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby in April of 1926. The big day finally arrived on April 12th when the baby girl they named Marjorie Leona drew her first breath. She was the oldest of six children to be raised in the family home at 1116 Garfield on the Northwest side of the city. Marjorie adored her mother and did everything she could to help her. In fact, she was like a second mother to her younger siblings, Robert, Bonnie, Joyce, Virginia, and Gerald. It was commonplace for Margie to take her youngest three siblings out for their regular Saturday morning shopping trips, pulling them in a wagon.

From the time she was a young girl, Margie was a bustle of activity. With so many responsibilities to tend to around the house, there was no free time for things like swimming and riding a bike. These were things that Marjorie just never had the opportunity to learn. As a student she attended Harrison Elementary, and she then went on to Union High School where she was a member of the school dance squad, the Rocketts. After graduating from high school, Margie began working as a clerk downtown at Woolworth's.

Life was forever changed for Margie when she met a handsome young man in uniform, Warren Fehrman. They actually double dated the first time they met, only it wasn’t until the following night when they were set up with each other as they had opposite dates the first night. Sparks flew soon after, and they began dating. With a desire to establish a life together Marjorie and Warren were married on August 25, 1945. Because Warren needed some training for a better job, they moved to Chicago for a few years. While there Marjorie found some secretarial work at Reynolds Metals, which was a job she enjoyed.

After her husband finished school the couple returned to Grand Rapids to start a family. They moved into their longtime home on Boyd, and this was the place where they raised their two daughters, Robin and Pat. Home was always where Margie felt comfortable, and she was an amazing homemaker. She wasn’t really one for traveling and going all that many places, but she did enjoy looking outside to see the animals in their backyard. As mothers go, Marjorie was the best as her girls always came first and foremost. Together the family did take some memorable trips. At times they rented a cottage or they just made some day trips, but they made such great memories along the way. The Fehrman family also enjoyed special outings to Fingers Restaurant or to the Pantlind Hotel. Margie was the disciplinarian in the family, and it didn’t take much as her girls always felt that the most severe punishment was her silence. She was consistent, and they certainly knew what was right.

Although Margie didn't learn to drive until the girls were older, she was always one to keep busy, driving or not. She started working outside the home when the girls were older, finding work at Blythefield Country Club. Marjorie was the head of the cold kitchen there for more than 17 years, and in this position she was able to make all the good stuff like salads, desserts, and appetizers. Much of what she did there she learned on the job and she loved her work. Margie always said that it was actually easier to cook for 200 than it was to cook for just one or two. With a husband who loved to garden, she did a lot of canning at home. Margie was so frugal, never one to let things go to waste. With beautiful penmanship, she loved writing recipes. She found recipes all over and just loved copying them on notecards. Margie had 42 shoeboxes full of recipes, and each card was handwritten and often included pictures. There were many, but they were organized in her very unique way. Although she always had a recipe to recommend, Marjorie was not one to experiment with her own cooking. Margie loved to read, primarily historical fiction, and more recently she enjoyed reading novels based on the Amish culture.

Later in life Margie continued to delight in her family. As her girls got older, she was thrilled to become a grandmother and spent every moment she could with her grandchildren whether she was watching them, playing with them, or just enjoying quiet time together. Holidays for many years were spent at Margie’s home, and she was so proud of their family traditions and meals together. Whenever her girls came for a visit they always left with a stack of magazines, coupons, and recipes. As her grandchildren grew older she continued to enjoy their visits as well as spending holidays and birthday parties together. As a prayer warrior, Margie was devout in praying for her family, and with everyone she prayed for her list was getting incredibly long. After Warren’s death in 2008 she remained on her own for a period of time, but she then decided to move into a place that was easier to maintain. This brought Marjorie to Ambrose Ridge, and she made wonderful friends there.

All who knew Marjorie Fehrman are blessed because of her genuine caring and her cute sense of humor. She was always thinking of others, even as her days were drawing near. Margie was upbeat and positive with a zest for life that was contagious to all who were near. She will never be forgotten.

Marjorie Fehrman, age 90 of Grand Rapids, passed away September 30, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren in 2008; and by her siblings Robert LeBaron, Bonnie Schrickel, Joyce Ligman, Virginia Nelson and Gerald LeBaron. Margie is survived by her children Robin and Bill Plouff, Pat and Rick Bosse; grandchildren Shelley (Thom) Stambaugh, Nathan (Jessie) Plouff, Courtney Plouff (Rob Blanchard), Ryan Plouff, Erin (Rick) Baughn, Andy (Rhiannon) Bosse; great grandchildren Ella, Brady, Dean, Troy, Mollie, Addison, Ayden, Tatum and Lachlan. Marjorie's funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 5 at 11 AM at St. Jude Catholic Church. Relatives and friends may visit with her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW on Tuesday from 7-9 PM and on Wednesday at church for a time following the service. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions to the Ronald McDonald House are appreciated. You may read more about Marjorie's life, share a memory or sign the online register by visiting www.lifestorynet.com.