Olga DeGrand

Olga Mary DeGrand, age 97, of Escanaba passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Norlite Nursing Home in Marquette.
Olga was born April 7, 1926 in Escanaba, the daughter of Russian immigrants, Nicholas and Mary (Warchena) Chernick. She was raised on a farm and graduated from the Bark River-Harris School. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Anne Catholic Church for many years. She was united in marriage to Leo DeGrand. In their later years they loved spending their winters in Florida. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing cards, cooking and baking. Olga showed love through her food. She was well known for her pies and apple dumplings and shared them with everyone.
Olga is survived by her daughter, Carol (Tom) Dunleavy of Marquette; grandchildren, Thomas Dunleavy and Lara (Jerome) Torres; great grandchildren, Thomas and Katelyn Dunleavy and Matea and Leo Torres; her brother, David (Linda) Chernick and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, her parents, brothers, Nicholas, John and Wesley and sisters, Ann Pinozek, Helen Ryan, Jean DeGrand and Barbara Phalen as well as sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and many other family and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff of Norlite Nursing Home for the care and compassion.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 27 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM with Fr. Fran DeGroot officiating. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Olga will be laid to rest in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Escanaba,
In lieu of flowers, the DeGrand family asks that you pay it forward to someone in need.