Colleen Hertha Marasus' Obituary
CoCo Marasus was born in Norfolk, Nebraska on March 10, 1937, to Karl and Elsbeth Firnhaber. She was born and raised within a deeply rooted Lutheran family with her father as her teacher in a one room Lutheran grade school. After moving to Vandalia, Illinois, she graduated from Vandalia High School in 1954 and then moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana to attend Nurses Training at the Lutheran Hospital for about two years.
In 1955, CoCo moved to Detroit with her best friend. She worked as a receptionist at the Goebel Brewing Company and was an assistant for an ophthalmologist for two years. She met David (Dave) Marasus at a Walther League bowling event in 1956, and shortly thereafter, they started dating. After two years of dating, they were married at Outer Drive Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan, on August 16, 1958.
CoCo and Dave began their family in 1960 with the birth of their first daughter, Jody Corbett. Six years later, another daughter, Amy Boewe, was born in 1966. And, finally, their last daughter, Kristy Pollatz, was born in 1971. Since then, CoCo and Dave have been blessed with three sons-in-law: Patrick Corbett, Craig Boewe, and Paul Pollatz; eight grandchildren: Taylor (Brent) Buchholz, Lindsey (Lewis) Corbett, Kevin (Victoria) Corbett, Miriam Boewe, Michael (fiancé Alison) Boewe, Meghan Corbett, Jonah Pollatz, and Rebecca Corbett; and three great-grandchildren: Elsbeth Buchholz, Natalie Buchholz, and Charles Buchholz. Family has always been a solid anchor and a deeply-rooted love for CoCo!
CoCo has always been an active member of her Lutheran church, by being a first-rate Alto in Dave’s many church choirs, belonging to the Women’s Guild, volunteering in the Garden Club, volunteering at Vacation Bible School, providing treats after church services, helping with apple pie fundraisers, throwing fantastic church choir parties, and most importantly, being Dave’s side-kick at church.
While she was mostly a home-maker, she spent many years as the “hostess with the mostest” at McDonald’s. She loved greeting customers, flashing her contagious smile, and being the cashier that everyone wanted to meet. Her love for people made working at McDonald’s a perfect fit.
If you knew CoCo, you knew her to be a bright spark wherever she went. Her quick wit, her charming smile, and the sparkle in her eye were often the first things you noticed about CoCo. She loved chatting with people and was often known as a “social butterfly” as she flitted from one conversation to another. She loved to be at and throw parties, and she certainly did just that! CoCo would always ask questions of others and could start a conversation with anyone. You could count on CoCo to remember special dates as she was the consummate card-giver and always included a unique, hand-written note. She was beyond generous with her beloved family whom she loved so very much, as well.
CoCo passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her parents (Karl and Elsbeth), four brothers (Arnie, Stu, Hub, and Norb), one sister (Evey), and her son-in-law (Craig).
CoCo will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Dave; her daughters, sons-in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews. Though she battled with dementia the last couple of years of her earthly life, she is now fully restored in the arms of Jesus her Savior.
Music and singing were woven into her very being. We know that CoCo is with the angels singing her favorite hymn, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”, which gave her assurance of God’s promise to prepare a heavenly home for her without dementia or death, but with full restoration:
“He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.” (v.7)
CoCo’s Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at10:00 am with her Memorial Service following at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lakeview, MI.
If you are so inclined, gracious gifts in memory of CoCo may be given to:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
8890 Tamarack Rd.
Lakeview, MI 48850
Life Choices of Central Michigan
1985 Parkland Dr.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
What’s your fondest memory of Colleen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Colleen?
Share a story where Colleen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Colleen you’ll never forget.
How did Colleen make you smile?