Marjorie Jane Koleski

TRAVERSE CITY — Marjorie Jane Koleski, 93, of Traverse City, entered eternal life on Oct. 19, 2014. She passed away in the comfort of her home at Boardman Lake Glens Inverness under the loving care of her children, the Inverness staff, and Hospice of Michigan.

Marjorie was born Feb. 22, 1921, in Crystal Falls, to Wesley and Angelina Twa. She was the eldest of three children.

Upon graduating from Watersmeet Township High School in 1939, she attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1943 with a bachelor of science in clothing and textiles, related arts and merchandising. Her interests and early career took Marge to JL Hudsons in Detroit in 1934, and Shell Refinery in Texas in 1945. After WWII, she was employed as a writer for Sunset Magazine in San Francisco.

On Oct. 15, 1948, Marge married Edward Anthony Koleski in Milwaukee and they returned to Watersmeet to live. They raised three children. Edward preceded her death in 1991.

Marge played Bridge, was a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout den mother, and worked at the Gateway in Land O’ Lakes, Wis., as a hostess in charge of the dining room and staff. She kept the basement shelves stocked with home-canned vegetables and fruits. She loved to enjoy meals with her family on the patio.

Being a lifelong learner, Marjorie returned to college and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1970 with a master’s degree in education. For 16 years beginning in 1969, she taught home economics, art and English in the Ewen-Trout Creek Schools, and continued as a substitute teacher in Watersmeet until 1994.

For 47 years, Marge sang in the choir and was a member of the Altar Society at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watersmeet. When she moved to Traverse City in 1995, she became a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish.

For 10 years, she served as a docent at the Dennos Museum and also sang as a member of the Grand Traverse Sweet Adeline Chorus. Marge traveled to Europe twice, especially enjoying Spain on her last trip.

Marge loved flowers, bright colors, classical and operatic music, creating and sewing clothing for herself, her children and friends, designing and hand-quilting wall hangings, interior design and cats. She continued her love of reading and learning through her “talking books” as macular degeneration slowly took her sight.

Marjorie is survived by daughters, Maralee Koleski, of Adrian, and Frances West, of Traverse City; and a son, Jon, and wife, Debbie, of Golden Valley, Minn. She will be also be remembered by her two grandsons, Aaron Wright, of Ann Arbor, and Edward J. Koleski, of Minneapolis; her sister, Patricia Green, of Clarkston; many nieces and nephews, dear and cherished friends; and beloved feline friend, Jewel.

Her brother, Robert Twa, passed away last year, and son-in-law, William West, in 2006.

A memorial service for Marjorie will be held at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Traverse City on Nov. 15, with visitation from 10 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. A celebration of her life will follow at the Dennos Museum Janice room.

Memorial contributions in Marjorie’s name may be sent to AC Paws, P.O. Box 94, Acme, MI 49610, which cares for animals in need.

Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City, is in charge of arrangements.