Marianne Wiedemer

Marianne Wiedemer, 64, passed away in East Lansing on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. She will be fondly remembered as a loving wife and mother and a devoted member of the East Lansing community.

Marianne was born July 8, 1946 in White Plains, New York. She graduated from Cornell University in 1968, and later received a Master's degree in Curriculum Development and Communications from Michigan State University. She taught elementary school in Columbus, Ohio for three years in an open-classroom setting, and later trained teachers in this unique curriculum. Her passion for helping others led her to serve as activity coordinator at Independence Village Retirement Home of East Lansing. She was an avid gardener, and received her Master Gardener certification working on a memorial garden at the East Lansing Public Library. She also maintained a beautiful community perennial garden in Clifton Park for 20 years.

Marianne was a tireless worker for her community. She was founder of East Lansing Positive Prevention, a youth drug-prevention program, and worked as Developmental Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing. She was a board member of both the Ingham County and State American Medical Association Alliance, and was a project manager and supervisor for the Junior League of Lansing. She also volunteered her time for Meals on Wheels, Woldumar Nature Center, and as a grant writer for Capital-Area United Way. She received a number of community awards for her service, including the East Lansing Crystal Award, the Capital-Area Athena Award, and the Search Institute Award for a mentorship program used in 46 cities.

Marianne was a 30-year member of The Peoples Church of East Lansing, where she was co-founder of Phoebe's Circle, President of The Peoples Church Pre-School, leader of Moms and Tots, interim coordinator of Elder-Care, and a member of the Woman's Board. In addition, she organized a medical mission to a hospital in Ometepec, Mexico.

Marianne is survived by her husband of 40 years, Dr. David H. Wiedemer; her sister Betty Jean Gaynor of Westerly, RI; and her four children, Kristin Frey (Peter) of New Bern, NC, Dr. Brian Wiedemer of Kapolei, HI, Scott Wiedemer (Season) of Sandy, OR, and Robin Mulvey (Steven) of Corvallis, OR. Visitation with the family will take place at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing, from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, October 29, 2010. A memorial service will be held at The Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave, East Lansing at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 30, 2010 with receiving in the Robertson Room before and after the service. In honor of Marianne, memorial contributions can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, 4315 Pleasant Grove Rd, Lansing, MI 48910 or the Lupus Foundation of America, 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036 in her memory.