Marjorie “Marge” Jane Pethe passed away peacefully on Sept. 1, 2021 in Seattle, Washington at the age of 93. She was born in South Bend, Indiana to Albert and Thelma Kifowit on April 12, 1928. She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who inspired everyone she knew. She was an independent spirit who stayed true to herself to the end.
Marge graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend in 1946. She married the love of her life, Joseph A.E. Pethe, in 1947. Until Joe’s death in 1989, they enjoyed dancing, fishing, camping, rock hunting, and raising their four children, Mark Edward Pethe, Bruce John Pethe, Anne Lorene (Pethe) Clamoungou, and Gail Jean Pethe. As a family, they lived in Michigan, Ontario, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.
Marge worked as a customer service representative for many years at Menasha Corporation in Coloma. She was a “people person” and loved mentoring young people. She was active in both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She enjoyed volunteer work with local arts organizations, the North Berrien Senior Center, and in the development of Randall Park.
Marge leaves behind her four children and seven grandchildren, Rachel (Pethe) Leins, Michael Pethe, Ty Pethe, Max Pethe, Helia Clamoungou, Khadi Clamoungou, and Masra Clamoungou, as well as six great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind numerous extended family members (Kifowit and Pethe) and friends. She will be dearly missed.
A memorial and celebration of her life is planned for the spring of 2022 in her beloved Michigan, when her ashes will be laid to rest with Joe in Edwardsburg. If you wish to donate to a cause in Marge’s name, please consider donating to the North Berrien Senior Center or your local food bank.