Photo courtesy of Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth
Mar 13, 1944 - Dec 25, 2025
Peggy, Rob and girls:
We were sorry to learn of Marilyn's passing. We remember her from work at Steering Gear and seeing her around town. She always had a smile and encouraging word!
Kim and Mary Lynne Maier
January 02, 2026 | Frankenmuth, MI | Acquaintance
Dear Rob, Peggy and your girls..I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and my dear friend.I will never forget her and she always kept me up to date on the girls andwhere they were and what was going on..She was easy to take to but hard to hang up..She will be missed.../
Al Ferrell
December 31, 2025 | St. Charles, MI | Friend
Peggy we never met your mother but we are truly sorry for your loss and hope you are doing well we miss you already
Gary and Cheryl Klein
December 30, 2025 | Saginaw, MI | Coworker
When we moved into our condo we ‘heard’ Marilyn as our backyard neighbor before we talked to her or met her! Arranging the patio furniture I heard this very distinctive voice interspersed with a few laughs and realized it came from inside the house across the back yard. A day later the owner of that voice introduced herself and I knew that Marilyn would be the perfect neighbor! Funny, gregarious, never at a loss for words or opinion she did not disappoint. Over our brief, but entertaining...
Lynn Zuellig
December 29, 2025 | Frankenmuth | Neighbor
I remember her from Rite aid and she was a great person to talk to. I just went to the pharmacy not to long ago before Christmas and she was in there talking with the pharmacist. We talked and shared some laughs while we were there. She is for sure going to be missed.
Kimberley Aymer
December 28, 2025 | Vassar, MI | Acquaintance
So sorry to hear of Marilyn’s passing. We have known her for many years and always enjoyed talking and laughing with her. There was never a dull moment when Marilyn was around which is one of the reasons she was loved. Our condolences to all family members.
Don and Patty Hopp
Don and Patty Hopp
December 28, 2025 | Bay City, MI | Friend
So sorry Peggy for the loss of your beautiful Mom. I enjoyed running into her while shopping in Birch Run outlets or at the local IGA. She was fun to talk to and was a good and outgoing person with a great smile. She will be missed.
Nancy Pavlicek-Fisher
December 28, 2025 | Birch Run, MI | Acquaintance
Peggy so very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy.
Heidi Jones
December 27, 2025 | Munger, MI | Friend
Marilyn was one of my very favorite cousins, loved her dearly. So sorry for your loss ❤
Kelly Eigner
December 27, 2025 | Bay City, MI | Family
Marilyn Marie DeLude
March 13, 1944 - December 25, 2025
Marilyn Marie DeLude passed away on Christmas Day, 2025—she managed to make the holiday memorable.
Born on March 13, 1944, Marilyn lived a life full of opinions, polka music, and love for her family and friends. Her hobbies included reading other people's obituaries, watching the TV with the volume turned up just loud enough to be heard through the phone, and shopping with Kohl’s Cash. Marilyn didn't just enjoy shopping-she approached it with purpose, strategy, and endurance. If something fit well, she bought it in every color, and if she had a coupon - you can bet she was using it before it expired.
If you ever spoke with Marilyn on the phone, you were never out of the loop-she made sure you heard the breaking news directly from the television blaring in the background.
Marilyn had a deep love for polka music, playing her accordion, and dancing but her talents didn't stop there. She was also a trailblazer, proudly working as one of the first women on the assembly line at Saginaw Steering Gear-proving early on that she was tough, capable, and not to be underestimated.
Another arena where Marilyn truly excelled was handling solicitors. When the phone rang and it wasn't family or friends, her tone shifted immediately. Marilyn didn't just tell solicitors she wasn't interested-she made sure they never wanted to call back. Firm, loud, and unapologetic, she considered it a public service.
Marilyn leaves behind those who will miss her and her funny quirks dearly: Her daughter Peggy Baker (Rob), and her son Stephen Schmidt (Vicki). Her granddaughters Brittany Fitzgerald (TJ), Savannah Baker (John Wageh), and Morgan Schmidt. She is also survived by her sister Janice Ailing and her brother Ronnie VanTol (Joyce).
She now reunites with her beloved husband and best friend, Gary DeLude. She was preceded in death by her parents Lucille and Floyd VanTol, her brother Larry VanTol, and her brother-in-law Dave Ailing.
Marilyn will be remembered for her sharp wit, her stubborn independence, her love of polka music, her legendary shopping habits, and her iconic pink lipstick, nails, and her perfect hair. She will be deeply missed, fondly laughed about, and lovingly quoted forever.
In lieu of flowers, please consider dancing a polka, turning on the TV loud or buying something you don't need in multiple colors-for Marilyn.
According to Marilyn’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
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