Marian Blanche Badgley

MARIAN BLANCHE BADGLEY

     Marian B. Badgley, 76, entered into eternal life January 20, 2024, surrounded in love by her family while under hospice care at Northwood Meadows of Cass City. She was born on September 18, 1947 in Cass City, the oldest of three children born to Frederick and Marian (Scott) Linderman Sr.  She married Ronald James Badgley on April 6, 1968.  He died August 18, 2023. 

     Marian graduated from Cass City High School in 1965.  She attended Bible College in Grand Rapids and later began working at Clements Factory in Deckerville.  She fell for the “hey, you should meet my brother” line when her co-worker and roommate Carol Badgley introduced Marian to Ronald Badgley.  

     Moving to Harbor Beach, Ron and Marian welcomed two daughters: Sheila (Jerome) Wolschleger and Shelly (Brian) Gentner.  Ron and Marian made their home in Harbor Beach until April of 2020 when they moved back to Marian’s hometown of Cass City.  

     Although she never drove a vehicle, that didn’t keep Marian from doing what she needed or wanted to do.  Working at Midwest Rubber in Deckerville for twenty-nine years, Marian never missed a day of work because she didn’t have a ride.  Her carpool drivers and fellow employees became some of her very best friends, and those friendships have outlasted Marian herself. 

     A strong lady and woman of faith, Marian read scripture every day. She had no need to quote it as she lived out God’s word every day.  In her younger years, Marian walked to the church closest to her house, then enjoyed being a member of the RLDS Church in Harbor Beach before becoming a member of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church.  

     A true servant in every sense of the word, Marian devoted her life to her family and friends.  From the many lunches she made for the pack of hunters when they returned from the woods with Ron, to the meals she prepared for family reunions and dinners, to “Marian, put the coffee on” when anyone walked through their door, she always made sure to take care of those around her. 

     Children were among Marian’s favorite people. She loved on, read to, and fed every child that crossed her path. In addition to her sister’s two daughters, joining Ron’s big family gave her many more opportunities to be “Aunt Marian.”   But nothing in this world could be compared to the joy Marian felt when she became Grandma Badgley.    

     Grandson Robert William Wolschleger was the first brought into the family in 1992, followed in 1994 by Ronald Jerome Wolschleger, then Gabrielle Elizabeth Gentner in 2000, and John (Jack) Robert Gentner in 2003. Even though she didn’t drive, she made sure the grandkids never went without. Marian spent many hours and miles on her feet walking through town with Sheila’s boys (with snacks packed) to find a construction site so the boys could watch the equipment. She biked and walked with all four grandkids to the library, Dairy Isle, and playground endlessly.  She would sit at the library for hours so the kids could use their electronic devices with the library WIFI. A trip to Citgo in Harbor Beach for slushies and snacks was a ritual with Shelly’s kids, along with getting the beloved gas station chicken for dinner.  All four grandkids longed for the day when they would be taller than grandma, a rite of passage in the family. She still gave the best hugs, even when you had to reach down to embrace her.  

     Meals prepared for the grandkids often included their favorites, like hot chocolate with milk and fried ring bologna with mac and cheese.  The buttered toast she made at the Harbor Beach house has been claimed to taste better than anywhere else in the world.  A second granddaughter, Nivyan Wolschleger (wife of Ron Wolschleger) brought great joy to Marian as well, along with her first ever pedicure and girl’s spa day as part of the November 19, 2022 wedding preparations.   

     Living with Ron for so many years, she turned into a bit of a sports fan.  She cheered the Pistons on during the height of the franchise in the late 1980’s and 1990’s, even keeping a notebook on the player stats! NBA star Steph Curry was among her current favorites. She watched hours and hours of basketball, t-ball, football, wrestling, and soccer games in all kinds of weather for all four grandkids.  

     Marian loved flowers and grew them every year around the house in Harbor Beach, roses being among her favorites.  She even won a beautification award one year for her zinnia lined driveway.  Reading, adult coloring books, a glass of wine and embroidery were among Marian’s hobbies.  A set of embroidered pillowcases were often gifts to family and friends.  

     Marian was a member of the Red Hat Society, enjoyed the Port Hope Seniors, and always attended her weekly Bible study while living in Harbor Beach.   Marian could often be found at the kitchen table having coffee with a friend or family member.  True friendship was one of Marian’s gifts shown by the abundance of friends she had. 

     Although always the giver, she did have a few hard and fast rules.  Do not ask her to even step out of the house if she hadn’t done her hair! There was no missing a salon day at the care facilities where she lived. The girls knew that when she was in the hospital to be sure to bring stuff to do her hair when they came to see her!

     Marian’s warm and loving personality reached people the minute she met them.   Hospital discharges for her or Ron were never finished until all the staff came to say goodbye with a hug and a smile! She captured hearts at Northwood Meadows even in the short time she was there, seen in her affectionate nickname “Mama B” and the tearful goodbyes she received from the staff. She was the light of Christ in this world and will forever be missed. 

     Marian is survived by her children: Sheila (Jerome) Wolschleger of Cass City, Shelly (Brian) Gentner of Lake Orion; grandchildren: Robert Wolschleger of Pontiac, Ronald (Nivyan) Wolschleger of Saginaw, Gabrielle Gentner of Grand Rapids, Jack Gentner of Madison, Wisconsin; sister, Frieda (Dale) Daniels of Caro; sisters-in-law:  Donna (Nick) Kloska of Flushing, June (Tom) Fischer of Port Austin; brother-in-law, Glen Detgen of Millington; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of fifty-five years, Ron; brother, Fred Linderman, Jr.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in law:  Clara (Leo) Ventline, Florence Will, Tom Badgley, Barbara Anderson, Nancy Detgen, Carol Badgley, Keith Will. 

     Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Brad Speirs of Novesta Church of Christ officiating.  Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery in the spring.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Huron County Suicide Prevention Coalition or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital; both causes were close to Marian’s heart. 

Visitation:  3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2024 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City    

                 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City 

Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City