Marietta Ann Kusey

Marietta Ann (Dow) Kusey, age 87 of Mio, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 6, 2018.

Marietta was born on December 2, 1930 to Elgie Dow, past Superintendent of Michigan Public Schools, and Ina Dow, past public school teacher. She graduated from Sterling High School in 1948, and attended Bay City Business College. While in the Bay City area, she worked at a ceramic shop, followed by employment at a real estate in Flint. She married William Kusey on July 7, 1950, celebrating 67 years of marriage in 2017. She earned an Associate’s Degree, graduating Summa cum Laude Valedictorian. Marietta was active in the community, including being a Girl Scout Leader and helping with the 4H. At the first Kirtland Warbler Festival in Mio, she and her husband were crowned Queen and King. They were also crowned King and Queen at the Oscoda County Fair/Forestry Exposition. Marietta was a member of many organizations: Michigan League of Conservation Voters (Ann Arbor), Michigan Resource Stewards (Clare), Huron Pines RC & D (Gaylord), Headwaters Land Conservancy (Gaylord), and Pigeon River Country Association (Gaylord). Marietta was a member of the Mio United Methodist Church, where she had served as a Sunday School teacher, was co-author of the Mio United Methodist Church History, was church librarian, and chairperson of the Memorial Committee for years. She received the Susanna Wesley Award of Excellence for hours of service to her faith community. Marietta was an avid reader, gardener, and dancer. She enjoyed camping, spending time with family, sewing, writing poetry, and acrylic painting. She really liked animals, especially dogs.

Marietta is survived by her husband William Kusey; four daughters: Nancy Trew (Roger), Laurie Shea (Tom), Nina Appel (Hugh Galbraith), and Karen Ciske (Paul); one son William Kusey (Karen); five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister Shirley Drouse; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Elgie and Ina Dow; her sister Barbara Oakes; her brothers-in-law Walter Drouse and William Oakes; and her son-in-law Bill Appel.

Visitation on Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 3 – 8 PM at the Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI, and on Friday May 11, 2018 from 10 AM until Funeral Services at 11 AM at the Mio United Methodist Church with Pastor Brenda Klacking officiating. Interment immediately following the funeral service at Luzerne Cemetery, Luzerne, Michigan.

Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association or to Mio Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI.