Marjorie Sprenger Died Nov. 3, 2017

Marjorie H. Sprenger

Died Nov. 3, 2017

LELAND – Marjorie Helen Sprenger, 91, of Leland, passed away Friday, Nov. 3, 2017 at Effie’s Assisted Living.

Marjorie was born on July 25, 1926 in Ann Arbor, the daughter of Edward and Wava (Imhoff) Warren.  On June 28, 1946 also in Ann Arbor, she married Robert William Sprenger who preceded her in death on Oct. 28, 2011.

Family was very important to Marjorie. She was fond of describing frequent trips to her grandparents in Orland, IN, and Washington D.C.  Another favorite thing to do was get in the car with her parents and her sister, Margaret, and drive to the family cottage on Zukey Lake.

Following their wedding, Marjorie and Robert worked side by side managing the Sprenger family farm in Coleman, MI, for the next 25 years, raising four children and an exchange student from Germany, Bernd Kuckuck.  She was a Cub Scout Den Mother. Marjorie’s table was always full with family members and hired hands, and no one was ever turned away empty-handed; Marjorie would whip up something delicious to feed a hungry wayfaring stranger knocking at their door.

Marjorie’s generous and compassionate heart was also evident in the way she treated migrant families who worked at the farm as extended members of her family.

When she was 45, Marjorie returned to college, finishing her degree in education, graduating from Central Michigan University.  She taught close to 30 years, first in Beaverton, then at Traverse Heights in Traverse City.  Marjorie was especially gifted in working with what others considered to be “difficult” children, bringing out the best in each of her students. 

Following her retirement, Marjorie enjoyed cooking for the Heritage Festival in Traverse City, and serving her church through United Methodist Women and Drama ministry.

She enjoyed cruising the Great Lakes together with her husband on their beloved “Siesta,” cooking in the galley for Inland Seas and the “Madeline” of the Maritime Heritage Alliance.

Marjorie loved to dress up as “Peanut Butter the Clown” for Cherry Festival, and entertaining at the Indian Pre-School at Traverse Bay United Methodist Church.

She was one of those rare individuals who was constantly thinking outside the box, letting her creative mind surprise others.

She was a woman of faith, loved to read her Bible, and was an avid member of the Tuesday Afternoon Women’s Bible Study at the Leland Community United Methodist Church.

Marjorie enjoyed being surrounded by her family, living out the last 9 years of her life being cared for by her four children.  Only as she needed more care did she move to Effie’s in Leland, bringing joy and laughter to her fellow residents and the staff.

Marjorie is survived by her sons, Glenn Robert (Kathy), Dirk Warren (Michelle), and Paul Arthur (Linda) Sprenger; daughter, Mary Wava (Daniel) Hofmann; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret (Nelson) Thomas; brothers-in-law, Gerald Sprenger and Charles Mester; and sister-in-law, Barbara (Jacob) Vander Sys.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Leland Community United Methodist Church. Rev. Daniel Hofmann will officiate. Private interment will be held at Geneva Twp. Cemetery, Coleman, MI.

Memorials may be directed to Inlands Seas Education Association, P.O. Box 218, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or to the Leelanau Children’s Center, P.O. Box 317, Leland, MI 49654.

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