Marian Parks

Mrs. Marian Grace Durman Parks, 96, peacefully departed this life on April 13, 2025.

Born on November 11, 1928, in Saginaw, Michigan, Marian was the eldest daughter of Dr. Donald C. and Mrs. Nora Mills Durman. She graduated from Arthur Hill High School and went on to attend Albion College, where she met the love of her life, Leland Anthony “Bud” Parks. They were married on June 16, 1949, and shortly after relocated to Ann Arbor, where Leland began dental school at the University of Michigan and went on to earn his doctorate in dentistry.

Five years later, with three young children in tow, the Parks family relocated to Owosso, Michigan. It was there they welcomed two more children into their growing household, and cultivated friendships that would last a lifetime. In 1974, Marian and Bud moved north to Manistique in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where a dental practice had become available. With fewer children at home, they embraced modern western square dancing – Marian crafting beautiful outfits and Bud eventually becoming a caller. Together, they traveled, danced, and formed cherished friendships throughout the U.P. and beyond.

A gifted violinist in her youth, Marian was, at just 15, the youngest member of the Saginaw Civic Symphony. Though she stepped away from music to raise her family, she often remarked that her only regret was that her children never heard her play.

Marian was a woman of many talents and wide-ranging interests. She delighted in the family cottage on Lake Michigan and the lasting memories created there with family and friends. She loved music, books, flowers, painting, writing, knitting, drawing, tennis, cribbage, crossword puzzles, and spending time in nature, whether in the woods or on the water. She participated in bowling leagues in both Owosso and Manistique and, in her 70s, joined her first golf league, embracing the game with enthusiasm. Later in life, she joined a writers’ group, sharing her stories with reflection and gentle humor. She stayed sharp and curious into her 90s, keeping in touch with loved ones on Facebook, proudly posting her Wordle achievements, and offering thoughtful book recommendations in more personal conversations.

She and Bud shared 60 joyful years of marriage until his death in 2009. Together, they nurtured in their children a love for music, a deep appreciation of nature, and the wisdom to find meaning and beauty in life’s simplest moments – always with a touch of humor that made even the ordinary feel extraordinary.

In 2016, Marian relocated to Gladstone, Michigan, where she became part of a warm and supportive community, enjoying weekly coffee get-togethers and local outings with neighbors and friends.

Marian was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Leland Parks; her parents, Dr. Donald and Nora Durman; sisters, Patricia Schwartz and Jane Adams; and dear brothers-in-law, Thomas Schwartz and John Adams.

She is survived by her five children: John Parks; Martha Parks (Ben Smith); Steven Parks (Candice); James Parks (Kathy Houle); and Sara Cromartie (Mike); eight grandchildren: Lindsey McCarthy, Matthew Hayes, Mark Hayes, Andrew Hayes, P.J. Parksmith, Abbie Parks, Chad Parks, and Glory Russell-Parks; seven great-grandchildren: Leanna McCarthy, Zane McCarthy, Asher McCarthy, Eva McCarthy, Leland Hayes, Aiden Hayes, and Iris Hayes; as well as several loving nieces and nephews.

Marian’s faith was quiet but steadfast, reflected in her compassion, her generous heart, and the tenderness with which she cared for others. Her absence will be deeply felt by her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Marian’s memory by being kind to others, smiling at a stranger, diving into a good book, sharing a story, or simply being a friend.

The family will receive friends and family on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone, Michigan. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Marian’s beloved niece, the Rev. Ann Schwartz. The Skradski Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Parks family.