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Marian VanDrese

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GLADSTONE — Marian A. (Page) VanDrese, of Escanaba, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone, surrounded by family. Marian was born on May 30, 1935, in Spalding, Michigan. She graduated from Powers High School in 1953. She was an excellent student, finishing as the Salutatorian of her graduating class. On November 5, 1955, she married Leonard VanDrese. They were married for more than 68 years and shared a lifetime of precious memories. In 1959, they built a home in Soo Hill and began raising their family. Marian stayed home with their children while Leonard began his 35-year employment at Mead Paper Company. She enjoyed a strong faith and was a member of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Escanaba throughout her lifetime. In the past few years, when no longer able to attend services, she tuned in every Sunday morning to her service online.

One of Marian’s passions was watching her children’s and grandchildren’s sports and activities. Growing up you could often hear her encouraging her children and their teammates at their baseball and softball games. She even continued to do so as they competed in their adult lives. On any given night in the summer, you could find her at three or four games; at three or four different fields; in three or four different towns. Her unbridled enthusiasm for her children’s teams were a thing to behold. She wouldn’t have had it any other way, however. She loved being at the ball fields and was as knowledgeable as anyone on the field or in the dugout. She listened to and watched the Detroit Tigers with Leonard, and later her boys, for over 70 years. This family time was everything to her.

Likewise, she had a passion for music. She enjoyed playing the organ and later keyboard. Shortly after their retirement in 1994, she began participating in country music jams at their park in Southern Texas. She eventually convinced my dad to sing as well, and they performed as a duet. They even managed to recorded a few CD’s, which featured covering songs such as Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art and many other classics from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. She accomplished all of this while clearing an hour every weekday to sit down and watch her program, The Young and the Restless. Leonard used to tease her with, “What did Victor do today?”

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the staff at Lakeview Assisted Living, her U.P. Health System Home Care and Hospice team for their care and concern, the volunteer group at Lakeview, who were all wonderful with her and Reverend Paul Doletzky. Your diligence and attention to her needs was invaluable to her.

We would like to mention some special friends and family who would come and sit with her and visit. A special thank you to her nieces, Monica VanDrese, Cindy Davis, Maxine Zawada, Lois VanDrese, Sandy Peltier and Donna Nelson. Also, special friends, Rich and Barb King and fellow resident, Jerry King. You all provided her with very special memories and she so loved talking with you.

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Marian was preceded in death by her husband Leonard, who passed in 2023; her parents Robert and Arvilla Page, brother, Robert Page and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.

She is survived by her children; Daryl, Columbia, TN; Debra (Michael) Casey; Escanaba; Dana, Escanaba; Dale (Denise), Gladstone; Dean (Sandrah), Iron River; Duane (Denise), Rochester, MI. In addition, she is survived by siblings, Martha (Laurence) Savord, Peshtigo, WI; Ervin (Marie) Page of Appleton, WI; Kenneth (Char) Page of Rhinelander, WI: Monica Welch of Powers, MI; Melanie (Larry) Franklin of Dayton, OH.

She is also survived by grandchildren; Katrina (Cory); Joshua, Kyle (Kimberly); Ryan; Emily; Jessica (Chad); Eric (Erin); Dylan (fiancée Staci); Drew.

She is survived by great grandchildren: Carter, Teagan, Marley, Aubree, Courtlen, Charleigh, Makenna, Chayson and Alden.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Prayer services will follow the visitation led by Reverend Paul Doletzky of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church.