Marian Laverne Leman

Marian Laverne Leman passed away on October 19th at the age of 95. She was born April 22, 1927, to Grant and Gladys (Niehold) Leman in Appleton, Wisconsin. At the time of her birth, the family lived in Wakefield, Michigan, where her father was the high school principal, and her mother was a teacher. During her formative years, the family lived in Arkansas where her father studied for his doctorate degree in education. They then moved to Bogota, New Jersey, where Grant became the Superintendent of Schools. There they resided next door to Humphrey Bogart’s parents.

While attending school in Bogota, Marian was a campfire girl and waitress. During her senior year in high school, she applied for and was accepted to Harvard University. A week before graduation from high school, her father passed away from a heart attack. At this time Marian and her mother moved back to Wakefield, Michigan.

Marian enrolled in Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. There she majored in mathematics and minored in biology. After graduation she taught in rural schools in Wisconsin and Minnesota for several years. She applied to the State Department to teach military families abroad and was accepted. She first taught several years in Japan. She became immersed in the Japanese culture and was given the name “Tsuni Toshi” for her mastery of Japanese art. She then went to Germany and taught there for several more years before returning to the states.

After returning, Marian attended Stanford University and obtained a master's degree in mathematics. She then became employed by a nuclear contractor in Colorado Springs, where she worked as a mathematician and computer programmer. While working in Colorado, she obtained her private pilot's license.

Marian and her mother took a yearlong world tour where they toured most of the free world. She took many other trips around the United States and other countries on sightseeing and bird watching tours.

Marian eventually went back to her love of teaching. She taught at Sequoia Union High School in Redwood City, California, until her retirement. After her retirement she worked for a time as a travel agent; that was something she always aspired to.

In 1982 she moved to Grants Pass and built her dream home. After settling in, she opened a quilting store, “Quilting Pleasure,” that she and her partners operated for several years. She also taught math at Rogue Community College and was available as a private tutor.

Marian’s interests, hobbies and skills were many and varied. She was a fervent lover of all God’s creatures. She was involved in photography, art, gardening, botany, birding, sewing, quilting, knitting, tatting, crocheting, stained glass, baking, cooking, flying and anything that came along to tweak her interest. She was a member of the Audubon Society, Humane Society, National Conservancy, Sierra Club, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, P.E.O. and numerous other organizations.

Due to diminished physical abilities, Marian spent her last years in care facilities. She adapted well to these living conditions and was respectful of the care givers and tried not to inconvenience them. She spent most of her time reading and seldom watched television. She was, however, vocal about her dislike of green beans, over-cooked broccoli and blueberries.

Appreciation goes out to the management and staff at Rogue Regency, Highland House, Morrow Heights, Grandma’s Lodge, Signature Health Care and the former Heritage House.

Marian was preceded in death by her father and mother.

Memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 865 NW 5 Th Street, Grants Pass on November 12th at 11:00 AM.

Chapel of the Valley - L.B. Hall Funeral Home is charge of arrangements.