Marian was born in Ingelow, Manitoba in 1924 to John and Thecla Manchulenko. She was the eldest of five children and grew up in a railway section house in Silver Plains, Manitoba. She attended secretarial college in Winnepeg. She met Bill, a young private in the army, who was stationed with the Winnipeg Grenadiers during WWII. They were soon engaged. In the summer of 1944, she took the train from Winnipeg to Rycroft where they were married on the farm on August 25. Shortly after the ceremony, Bill resumed his role on the threshing machine. They continued farming until 1995.

Their first child, Barbara, was stillborn in 1948. Larry was born in 1950 and Ken in 1954. Marian was very hardworking. She became a talented cook, excellent gardener and was extremely passionate about growing as well as caring for plants and flowers. She loved knitting, crocheting and quilting. She graciously welcomed company and always made sure no one left hungry. She was well known for her delicious deep-fried poppy seed perogies. Besides farming and raising two sons, Marian worked at Bahry’s Store, Dutch Treat Drive In, Dunvegan Gardens, and in her later years, The Rycroft Municipal Library. She was a member of the Spirit River Hospital Auxiliary for many years.

She and Bill moved to Rycroft in 1994, then later to Grande Prairie and eventually to the Pleasantview Lodge in Spirit River. Marian remained in the lodge after Bill’s passing in 2012 until 2022, at which time she moved to Grande Prairie for a few months. She then transferred to Long Term Care in Spirit River until her passing.

As family was extremely important to her, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was her greatest joy.

She was a very independent person and drove until she was 96. She celebrated her 100th birthday in July.

She is survived by her children Larry (Myrna), Ken (Sheila), youngest sister Vivian Clubb of Morris, Manitoba, brother-in-law David Zahara (Phyllis) of Grande Prairie, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, three step grandchildren and seven step great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held next spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Resident Council Long Term Care, Central Peace Health Complex, Spirit River.