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1920 - 2007
 Age: 86
PFISTER, Marian E.
Franklin St.
Lawton
Passed away Monday morning, November 12, 2007 at her home with her family at her side. Marian was born December 10, 1920 in Chicago, IL the daughter of the late Henry and Mary (Heacox) White. She was a 1938 graduate of Paw Paw High School. She received her teaching certificate at Western County Normal Teachers College and her Masters at Western Michigan University. She taught a total of 30 years in Grand Junction, the Lee Rural School, Paw Paw Elementary and Middle Schools retiring in 1982. She was a member and Historian of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Lawton. She was a member of the Van Buren County Educational Assoc., the N.E.A., M.E.A., the Paw Paw Educational Assoc. and the East Van Buren County Senior. She was a member of the Lawton Library Board and the Lawton Museum Curator. She loved camping, reading, golf, playing cards and painting. On May 10, 1941 in Breedsville, MI Marian was united in marriage to Richard Winfield Pfister who preceded her in death on July 31, 1972. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Thaddeus (Tod) Pfister; 3sisters Kathryn Mathias, Annetta White and Doralouise Kruger. Surviving are 3 daughters, JoAnn (Robert) Blum of Lawton, Carol (Kenneth) Wilder of Lawton, Patricia (Wayne) Christie of Benton Harbor; son, Richard (Rita) Pfister of Lawton; grandchildren, Amy (Jason) Beaudoin, James Blum, Brian (Denise) Wilder, Karen (Jim) Nuckels, Julie (Kelly) Johnson; Paula (Joe) Gray, Paige Gardner, Angela Pfister, Cheryl (Joe) Ceru and Robert Pfister; 12 great grandchildren; sister, Ruth Thompson of Decatur; brother, A.B. White of Jackson, MI; many nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends Tuesday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw where funeral services will be held Wednesday 10 a.m. with Rev. Daniel Biteman of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawton Public Library. |
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There are currently 11 condolences.
Jonathan Leslie
Friday January 14, 2022 at
3:20 PM
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Mrs. Pfister was my teacher in Kindergarten and 1st grade at Lee School. She also taught my older sisters at that school. We all wonderful memories of her as did our folks.
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Christine (Graham) Evans
Saturday November 24, 2007 at
2:16 PM
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Our family wants to extend it's condolences. Your mother was an inspiration to everyone in our family and will always be in our hearts. Love, Chris, Connie, Irene, Fred and Chuck.
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Barb (Leslie) Ellcey
barbe410@tx.rr.com
Sunday November 18, 2007 at
7:26 PM
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I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Pfister. My mom Mrs. Frank Leslie always wrote her every year until she passed away four years ago, and then I continued to send her a Christmas card. I will miss hearing from her. She taught my younger brother Jonathan Leslie at Lee School, from there the friendship continued. My husband and I stopped in to see her five years ago and she was so kind to ask us in and show us pictures of her
family. Her picture is so lovely. She will be missed I know by so many. God Bless, Barb Ellcey
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Janet (Leslie) Norman
Saturday November 17, 2007 at
9:58 AM
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Mrs. Pfister was my teacher at the Lee School from kindergarten thorugh 6th grade (1953 to 1960). When I graduated 6th grade they closed the school. She was a wonderful teacher. My parents (Frank and Marjorie Leslie) and my 6 siblings, lived on a farm down the road on RR1 before we moved to California in 1964. My parents thought the world of her. I have wonderful memories of that school and Mrs. Pfister who as a loving Christian women, took a shy girl under her wing and help form her for the future.
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Jonathan Leslie
Friday November 16, 2007 at
11:49 PM
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Mrs. Pfister was my teacher for Kindergarten and 1st grade at the Lee Rural School. She was always encouraging and looked for the best for her students. I am still amazed at how she could handle K-6 grades all in one room and give us all a good education at the same time.
We briefly communicated a few years ago and she had no problem remembering me after almost 40 years as she had kept in touch with my parents. I was amazed at how active she was even though "retired".
I am proud to be able to claim I attended Lee, one of the last one room schools and am glad that Mrs. Pfister was there to give me a good solid start to my education.
My condolences go out to her family, but they can be proud of who she was and all that she did for others.
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Carl & Susan Ericksen
Wednesday November 14, 2007 at
9:08 PM
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We will truly miss Marian. After so many years of active participation in the life of our church, she continued to understand and support our work with the youth. She donated supplies for Bible School, supported the After School Program, donated items to rummage sales, brought sandwiches for the Sprout Child Care Program, and financially supported the Annual Basketball Tournaments. She also had a special way about her in Bible study. She could resolve questions with simple, down to earth statements. We know Marian holds a special place in the Lawton community and the schools in which she taught. We want her family to know the special place she has in our hearts. Carl & Susan
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Barbara Anne Alden
balden@na.ko.com
Wednesday November 14, 2007 at
8:16 AM
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It made me so sad to read that Mrs. Pfister had passed. What a truly great lady! She was the best teacher I ever had, and I have many special memories of her reading to our class at Lee School. I also always thought it was neat that she graduated from Paw Paw High School with my Dad (Kenneth Alden)too! Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you today, and may that terrible void you feel be filled with precious memories. God bless you and keep you in his tender loving care. Sincerely, Barb, Jackie, and Jim Alden (or should I put Barbie, Jackie, and Jimmy!)
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Tania Sheehan & Family
Taniam93@aol.com
Wednesday November 14, 2007 at
7:27 AM
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Her contributions to the school, profession and the community are countless. A remarkable woman. I will miss my Aunt Marian's smile and genuinesness. I will remember always, she made a difference. She will be missed by all.
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Valerie Opdyke (nee Ida Cummings)
vopdyke@charter.net
Tuesday November 13, 2007 at
10:22 PM
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I saw and talked to Marian a dozen times since my mother (Peggy Cummings)died in March of this year. We were sharing 'history of Lawton' items for the museum. Marian was wonderful and real; and so dedicated to discovering, presenting and preserving the history. I'm shocked to hear of this---such a loss, she was so vital. So fortunate for me that I had wonderful exchanges with her.
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Laurie and Mike Olsen
Tuesday November 13, 2007 at
7:12 PM
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To Pat and all of her family.
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom.
If she is anything like you are, she is a wonderful, caring, loving person who made meaningful contributions to the world and people around her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
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Ann Blakely
Monday November 12, 2007 at
4:24 PM
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To all of Marian's family: My sister Kay Bush dearly loved Marian. Marian taught with Kay and I think Kay would have considered Marian her mentor. Kay has survived through three strokes and I know she will be very saddened when we tell her of Marian's passing. What a beautiful picture of a most special woman.
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