Marcia Elaine (Coffin) Reist

Marcia E. Reist, age 97, of Ithaca, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017, at Sparrow Carson Hospital in Carson City, with her family at her side.

Marcia was born in Emerson Township on July 15, 1920, the daughter of Glenn E. and Harriet Anne (Carpenter) Coffin.  She was the oldest of five children, all of whom preceded her in death.

Marcia graduated from Ithaca High School in 1937.  Her first job was working at the North Star Elevator from 1939 to 1940, as a bookkeeper and clerk.  Here she met Robert W. “Cheesie” Reist.  She then worked at the Ithaca Roller Mills from 1940 to 1941.  She and Robert were married on April 15, 1941 in North Star.  They were married for 61 years before Robert passed away on November 10, 2002.  Marcia worked at Total Petroleum for 22 years, retiring in 1981.

Marcia loved to work crossword puzzles, her cats, feeding her outdoor birds, and watching the Lawrence Welk Show.  She was a long time member of the North Star United Methodist Church, where she used her great accounting abilities to ensure the church finance records were accurate and up to date.

Marcia is survived by her six children, Karen Craig (Jack DeWeerd) of Ludington, Robert Jeffrey (Barbara) Reist of Merrill, Ann E. Boone of Sacramento, California, Janet E. Reist of Pekin, Illinois, Roberta “Robin” (Dan) Strnad of Bannister, and Mary K. Matthews of Fayetteville, North Carolina; 20 grandchildren; 46 great grandchildren; and 20 great great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law, Greta Earegood of Saginaw.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, October 6, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with Pastor Ried Martin officiating.  Interment will follow in North Star Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Thursday, October 5, and from 10 a.m. until the start of the service on Friday.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Gratiot County Commission on Aging.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.