Marjorie Ann Perks

Marjorie A. Perks passed away on April 3, 2020, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, on May 20, 1926, to Arthur E. and Agusta E. (Stephenson) Nelson. On June 1, 1946, she married Harry T. Perks, and they enjoyed 65 years together.

Marjorie entered the public telephone industry and worked for three companies in Michigan and Ohio before entering private business as a receptionist and switch board operator for Browne-Morse Company. She worked for Browne Morse for 28 years before retiring in 1979.

Marjorie enjoyed cooking, crafting, and singing in the "She Sharps Barber Shop Quartet."

Survivors: niece and godchild, Wendy (Reggie) Travis of Columbus, IN, nephew, Benjamin L. (Barbara) Nelson of Muskegon, MI, great nephews, Phillip, Sam, Jonathan, and Michael Nelson, Matt Burda, Casey Bowler, and Taylor Travis, great niece, Brittany Bowler, great great nephews, Jaxon, Aisin, and Luke Nelson, Liam Bowler. She was lovingly called "Aunt Toodle" by her family. She is also survived by her dear friend of 77 years, Lee Heinbaugh.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2012, and her infant daughter, Lori Ann, in 1951, and her only brother, Lowell F. Nelson.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, there will be no visitation. A private graveside service will be held. Memorial contributions can be made to Community Foundation for Muskegon County in Marge's memory.

A poem written by Marjorie A Perks

Harry and I lived on ten wooded acres. We Didn't belong to an organized religion, but we knew God and we knew God when partridges drummed before they left for the day.

We knew God when we watched little chipmunks that played in the rock garden and the black squirrels that joined others in the trees.

We knew God when 25 or more rabbits fed on the dew wet grass in the back yard.

We knew God when a Snow Owl came for a short visit and the Bald Eagle that perched in our Cherry tree and flew away with his magnificent wings as he flew higher and higher and disappeared behind a cloud.

Harry kept bees and they kept their hives very clean by pushing the dead worker bees out each day. Every night an opossum came and ate all the dead bees.

We knew God when in winter, deer came to visit to the west pine grove and ate ivy that grew up the trees when the snow was too deep for them to forage.

Lastly, we knew God when 35 Cedar Wax Wings perched in the multi-floral rose bush.

I leave you with the 23rd Psalm:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life. Now I shall dwell in the house of the Lord with family and friends forever and ever. Amen.

A special thankyou to the following, alphabetically:

Diana Coleman, Karen and Dorian Marchmon, Ben and Barbara Nelson, David and Denise Nelson, David and Ruth Ann Nelson, Becky and Jason Ostein, Tom and Jan Schultz, Harry and Barbara Selleck, Suzanne Ladmadline.