Marjorie Bouse

In a life stitched together by purpose, compassion, and quiet courage, Marjorie Ann Bouse departed this world on October 11, 2025, at the age of 83, her final moments attended by the endless love of family.

Born on a summer day – July 8th, 1942 – in Battle Creek, Michigan to Sterling and Eva Herron, Marj grew up within the slow rhythms of midwestern life.

Outside of her family, there's not much that Marj loved more than crafting. You would not be surprised to open any drawer or cabinet in her home to find an absurd amount of yarn, paint, glitter and other supplies. She truly had a knack for creating and she loved to share that with her family. The only rival to crafting in Marj’s life was thrifting, and she would be the first to tell you that she single-handedly kept Goodwill in business with her frequent shopping visits and returns. Her van was consistently decorated with an assortment of new finds and an array of former finds waiting to be returned. With such commitment to crafting and thrifting, Grandma presented with a unique but cozy style that made her home feel like a cross between an antique store and an old library, fire burning up the chimney.

Marj was the epitome of kindness defined by hardship, the living embodiment of “she’d give you the shirt off her back.” She lived a life that was not always easy, one that was defined by courage, determination, and love. While others allowed their adversity to embitter them, Marj used it as an avenue for benevolence. She poured her heart into those she cared about in a way that defied reason. Though she sometimes struggled to find the words, her love was undeniable in the way she showed up for others: quietly, steadfastly, and without hesitation. Such profound kindness must manifest in some way, and Marj manifested it as living for her family. As a grandmother to 6, she invested most of her time in cooking weekly family dinners, designing and redesigning her family photo wall, decorating for the holidays – to make it special for the kids of course – making treats and baked goods, and planning get-togethers. She worked harder than most at becoming the most unwaveringly supportive mother and grandmother she could be, and those who loved her never had to question that. She gave freely of herself, often putting others’ needs before her own, and those lucky enough to know her will remember not just her strength, but the deep kindness that ran beneath it.