Mary Elizabeth LaBatt's Obituary
Big Rapids - Mary Elizabeth LaBatt, 104, of Big Rapids passed away at her home on Sunday, October 6, 2019.
She was born August 11, 1915 on the family farm in South Oneida Township, Eaton County, MI, the daughter of George Stange and Ida Faith (Otto) McMullen. After completing eighth grade at the Strange School District No. 3, Mary attended Grand Ledge High School, graduating in 1933. She entered Michigan State College where she met Dee Walter LaBatt. They married November 23, 1938 in East Lansing.
Mary began her teaching career in the fall of 1951 at Dryden, Michigan where she taught Home Economics for two years while completing her Bachelor's degree at Michigan State College. Leaving Dryden, she took teaching positions with Burr Oak H.S. and Mendon Public Schools. When Dee and Mary moved to Big Rapids in 1963 she took on the newly created position of Special Education teacher with the M.O.I.S.D. While teaching for M.O.I.S.D., Mary continued to expand her Special Education knowledge, earning a Master's degree at Central Michigan University. Mary retired from teaching in 1976 after 25 years of dedication to public education.
In retirement, Mary pursued her many hobbies of ceramics, quilting, collecting dolls, and making teddy bears. Researching family history occupied much of her time and attention. Through her research she was able to prove her eligibility for membership in DAR and Colonial Dames XVII Century. She became a member of Mecosta Chapter DAR and a charter member of William Barstow Colonial Dames XVII Century.
Mary is survived by her four children, Peter (Susan) LaBatt of Grand Rapids; Walter (Judith) LaBatt of Dexter, MI; Barbara (James) Martin of Muskegon; and Elizabeth LaBatt of Big Rapids; four grandchildren; Michael (Marcie) Barton, Kimberly Ploehn MD, Philip (Angelic) Martin and Suzanne LaBatt; four great grandchildren, Alissa and Jessica Martin, Alexander Ploehn, and Jessica Barton; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband Dee and grandson Eric Barton.
A Celebration of Mary's life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 12, 2019, at the Northland United Methodist Church in Stanwood, with Pastor Gary Bondarenko and Pastor Kaye Ferguson-Patton officiating. Mary's family will greet friends at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made for Hospice of Michigan.
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