Marietta Mohnke Obituary

Marietta Mae Mohnke, age 94, peacefully entered into eternal rest surrounded by family at her home on November 8, 2024. She was born in Big Rapids, Michigan on March 7, 1930, the daughter of Glenn and Marion (Coffman) Emmons. She graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School Class of 1947 as their Valedictorian, and from Central Michigan College of Education, Mt. Pleasant in 1951. She grew up on what was the Eddie Emmons farm in rural Bingham Township. During her high school years, she was actively involved in 4-H with her hogs, chickens, gardening and sewing winning several awards and scholarships.
Marietta married her high school sweetheart Earl James (Jim) Mohnke on June 11, 1950 at West Bingham E.U.B. Church, St. Johns, and he preceded her in death on May 1, 2024; they were married for nearly 74 years, and together as a couple for nearly 80. They built their life, and lived their entire married life, on a farm in rural Bengal Township. This was a real testament of their love, commitment, and devotion for each other, and their bond was strong 'from their first kiss to their last breath'. Together, they had three children. Marietta and Jim enjoyed square dancing from March 1982 until 1990, and were members of the Maple Twirlers Club. Even as busy as farm life always is, they still made sure to attend all their Class of 1947 reunions.
Much of her adult life was spent caring for her family as a farmwife and she found joy in simple things. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, gardening and canning, and had a great gift for teaching. She was a rural grade school teacher & substitute in the Clinton County school system from September 1960 to February 1970 but had to give it up due to chronic laryngitis. Marietta also taught Sunday School and Bible School classes, was involved in many church activities, and always made time to attend her children's school activities and functions. She served as Pilgrim Church Financial Secretary from January 1, 1978 thru December 21, 1989 and worked for the State of Michigan as a Typist Clerk in 1978-1979, and also as an exam monitor from 1974 – 1992. Marietta loved spending many summer days at Higgins Lake as a child, and later, along with her husband, children and grandchildren, she continued to enjoy "lake life" well into her 80's which gave her many cherished memories.
Marietta's love, commitment, and dedication to her family will be deeply missed. Even though she is no longer physically present, her light will continue to shine on through each of us and we will remember her love and compassion, for all the lives she touched over these many years, and the many smiles and laughter she created along the way. She embodied the best of qualities with unconditional love, strength of spirit and faith, and an unending generosity.
Surviving are son Daniel (Kim Bolen) Mohnke; daughter, Susan (Jim) Schaefer; 10 grandchildren: Elizabeth Mohnke; Diana Mohnke; Kimberly (Anthony) Evans; Bradley (Vanessa) Monk; Joseph (Nora) Mohnke; Nicholas (Grace) Monk; Emily (Jason) Calvert; Julia (Brian) McFadden; John Mohnke; and Kendra Mohnke; nephews Dale (Mary) and Dean (Kay) Patterson; niece Glenna (Jaquish) Cressman; 6 great-grandchildren - Taryn, Annie & Davis Kirk, Evyn McFadden, Owen Monk and Henry Calvert; and great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband Jim were her parents, son Eric and daughter-in-law Frances, sister Alberta Jaquish and brother-in-law Donald, nephew John Jaquish, infant grandson Douglas Mohnke, and sister-in-law Helen Patterson.
A joint memorial service for Marietta and Jim will be held on November 30th at Pilgrim Global Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with family visitation 2 hours prior to the service. A luncheon will follow. Burial of ashes will be at South Bingham Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Clinton County Historical Museum – Paine-Gillam-Scott House, or Pilgrim Global Methodist Church.
For further information, phone McGeehan Funeral Home at 989-224-4422.