- Marian June Pickett, 74, of Bemidji died Thursday, November 3, 2011 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.
The family of Marian Pickett mourns her passing and will celebrate her life with a mass of Christian burial on Saturday, November 12, 2012 at 10:30 am at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Bemidji, Minnesota. Visitation will be4 - 7 pm Friday, prayer service and the sharing of memories will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, November 11 at the Cease Family Funeral Home, 2807 Irvine Avenue, in Bemidji and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Bemidji Food Shelf or the St. Philip's Clothing Depot.
Marian was preceded in death by her loving husband Robert Pickett, brother Robert Vandenberg, and sister Jean Leitermann. Her memory and legacy are carried on by her daughter Carolyn (Darren) Olson and two granddaughters, Ainsley and Kaitlyn Olson, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; her brother, Roy Vandenberg, of Little Chute, Wisconsin as well as many nieces and nephews.
Marian was born to Barbara and Sylvestor Vandenberg in Little Chute, Wisconsin on June 11, 1937 where she was raised. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Dominican College in Racine, Wisconsin. Marian taught high school English in Medford and Brown Deer, Wisconsin for five years, and then attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, where she received a Masters of Arts degree in English. While there she was a Head House Fellow for the student residential facilities. After graduating, she became the Associate Dean of Students at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, where she cherished the opportunity to coordinate activities, mentor students, and collaborate with faculty members.
While at Gustavus Adolphus, Marian met her future husband, Robert Pickett. They were married on August 15, 1972. Together, they lived in St. Peter, Minnesota; Rolla, Missouri; and Little Rock, Arkansas before moving to Bemidji where they lived happily for 35 years.
"Aunt Merts" and "Granmere", as she was lovingly called, found delight in many activities, but her greatest joy was spending time with her granddaughters, Ainsley, and Kaitlyn. Her favorite pastimes included golfing, reading, and swimming. In her younger years she enjoyed cross-country skiing in the beautiful North Country winters. And always, Marian was a keeper of stories, sharing tales with friends and family that will be remembered and cherished always. Marian also particularly enjoyed travelling. She recalled numerous memorable trips, including a college adventure to Europe, leading a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, honeymooning in the Maritime Provinces in Canada, and many trips across the United States visiting friends and relatives.
Marian rediscovered her teaching career by leading confirmation classes at St. Philip's for many years. She enjoyed leading the young parishioners of St. Philip's to a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the Catholic faith. Marian also devoted many years to volunteering at the St. Philip's Clothing Depot were she developed many dear friendships.
Marian was an intelligent, strong, compassionate woman, whose caring nature will be greatly missed by her family, friends and those in the community that benefited from her passion. Marian will also be missed and lovingly remembered by those whom she touched in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) community; Marian was very proud of her 32 years of sobriety. She loved going to AA meetings and being a strong presence to other recovering alcoholics, as well as finding strength from those who were on the journey with her. Her legacy also lives on in the Alano Building, for which she played an integral part in the development and construction.
Active casketbearers will be Greg Vandenberg, Doug Vandenberg, Mike Leitermann, Katie Leitermann, Peter Leitermann, Rebecca Speares, John Bailey and Kurt Junger. Honorary casketbearer will Jo Friedman.
All friends are welcome to join Marian's family in remembering and celebrating her life during her visitation and funeral services. Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on November 12, 2011
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- Marian "Merts" Pickett nee Vandenberg. Marian died November 3, 2011 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Funeral services were held in Bemidji, Mn on November 12, 2011 at St. Philips Catholic Church. A burial service will be held Friday, August 3 at 3:30 at St. John's Cemetery in Little Chute.
Marian was born to Sylvester "Fuzzy" and Barbara [Peeters] Vandenberg in Little Chute on June 11, 1937. She graduated from St. John's High School in 1955. She received a B.A. degree at Dominican College in Racine and a M.A. degree in English at the U.W. Madison. She became Associate Dean of Students at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Mn. While at Gustavus Adolphus, she met her husband Robert Pickett, and they were married August 15, 1972.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Pickett, brother Robert Vandenberg, sister Jean Leitermann, and her parents.
She is survived by her daughter Caroline [Darren] Olson, and two granddaughters Ainsley and Kaitlyn of Grand Rapids, Mn. She is also survived by her brother Roy [Sharee] Vandenberg, Little Chute, and sister-in-law Yvonne Vandenberg, Appleton, and brother-in-law Norbert Leitermann, St. Paul's Home, Kaukauna. All friends are welcome to join Marian's family in remembering and celebrating her life during the internment.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on August 2, 2012
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1936 - 2011 (75 years)
Education - High School
