Marilyn Beilfuss

Marilyn June Beilfuss, age 72, of Greenville, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday morning, December 20, 2020 under the loving care of her family and Spectrum Health Hospice at her home in Greenville, MI after battling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Congestive Heart Failure. The daughter of Herbert & Violet (Steele) Race, she was born on December 23, 1947 in Belding, MI. After graduating from high school, Marilyn had many jobs over the years including work as a painter, cosmetologist, accounting, a Certified Nurses Aide at Metron of Greenville, and in home health care for Pamela Mason-Spence. However, the career that she was proudest of was that of being a Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma. She loved nature, fishing, camping, home repairs, puzzles, and trips to the casino, but delighted in time spent with her family. On December 3, 1969, in Greenville, she married Henry Julius Beilfuss and together they raised three daughters and enjoyed 19 years of marriage until Henry passed away on June 3, 1988 from pancreatic cancer. She was also preceded in death by her father, Herbert Race; her mother, Violet Hagadus; her step-father, Frank Hagadus; and a sister, Sharon Vida Spataro. Surviving are three daughters, Violet Beilfuss, Carla & Todd Luther of Chandler, AZ, and Julie & Monty Beech of Greenville, MI; four grandchildren, Alisha & Jeff Walenga of Howard City, MI, Stephanie Smith & Tyler Reynolds of Greenville, MI, Johanah Beech of Greenville, MI, and Allie Luther of Chandler, AZ; six great-grandchildren, Zachariah Wierda, Bentley Wierda, Brennen Walenga, Kenzie Walenga, Calie Walenga, and Tye Reynolds; three brothers, Carl Race of Deer Lodge, Montana, Dale & Margie Race of Crystal, MI, George & Tracy Race of Stanton,MI; two sisters, Julie & Chet Nielsen of Lakeview, MI and Dorothy Marcellus of Smyrna, TN; siblings-in-law, Daniel & Gudrun Beilfuss of Phoenix, AZ, Arlene Kurilla of Rhinelander, WI, and Violet Peters of Chicago, IL; many nieces and nephews; as well as her best friend since childhood, Andria Edmonds of Greenville, MI. Due to current state restrictions, private family services will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 (which would have been Marilyn's 73rd birthday) at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI with burial following beside her late husband, Henry. A celebration of life gathering will be announced at a future date. Instead of flowers, Marilyn would have appreciated contributions in her memory to Spectrum Health Hospice, 750 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, (616) 754-5638. We little knew that day, God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death, we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you. You did not go alone. For part of us went with you, The day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide. And although we cannot see you, You are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again. Author: Ron Tranmer To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marilyn Beilfuss, please visit our flower store.