April 28, 1930 – October 24, 2024
Teacher, storyteller, farmer, wife, mother to 4, grandma to 9, and great grandma to 11, Marian was a mentor and friend who lived a life full of adventure.
Born on a farm near Rackham, Manitoba to Francis and Peter Marcischuk, she was one of 6 children; Jessie, Anne, Marian, Marvin, Laverne and May. Cousin Robert was adopted into their family as a brother.
Marian was curious, quest oriented, determined, motivated, fun and took great delight that she was seconds older than her twin brother Marvin. Marian left home for Winnipeg as a young teen to follow her dream for further education and a career. A voracious reader and learner she attended and found her calling at Winnipeg Bible College where she earned a teaching certificate.
With a strong and joyful faith she loved her career years. Teaching at Norway House and working on the S.S. Kenora on Lake Manitoba were some of her favorite memories. In 1956, after harvest and hunting season, Marian married her friend, soul mate and love of her life, Roger Ogibowski. Within the next nine years Roger and Marian had four children: Ray, Ruth, Dawn and Diane, along with two foster boys (Gerald and Noel). Despite hardships they expanded their family farm near Basswood. Being a hardy person who loved farm life, it’s nature and its wonders, she embraced everything from the changing seasons to the shapes of the clouds. Marian had a gift of turning work into fun for her family.
“Mrs. O” or “Mom” to many within the community appreciated her humour, love of teaching, cooking and mentoring whether at the ice rinks, church or at her bookstore/teahouse. She opened “G’Marian’s” after Roger passed in 1991. Marian loved to travel and did many trips around Canada and United States visiting family and friends. A highlight in her life was traveling to Israel, Greece and Turkey.
After a stroke in 2017 Marian was moved to the Erickson Personal Care Home (EPCH). The family would like to extend their grateful thanks to her friends, extended family and staff at the EPCH who gave her exceptional care during her final years.
She is dearly missed by her children Ray, Ruth (Raul), Dawn (Terry), Diane (Ron), her sister May (Dennis), sister-in-law Lena (Marvin), brother-in-law Mike (Lavern), Robert (Iris) and many others who had a special bond. Including 9 grandchildren who all have treasured memories, stories of grandmas’s creativity, vibrant faith, strong moral foundation, deep joy, and fortitude which carried her through her life’s hard times. Her friends, neighbours and acquaintances were blessed in some way by knowing Marian.
A private family internment and a “Celebration of Life” at the Minnedosa Covenant Church was held Friday, November 1, 2024. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made in Marian’s memory your own favorite charity .
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Marian’s memorial page by using the comment field below.