"Keep your seats boys, I'm able to stand up for myself"

Traverse City- Marie A. Campbell, 93 of Traverse City passed away January 26, 2013 at Munson Medical Center.

Marie was born on August 10, 1919 in Traverse City to Archie and Julia (Rockwell) Hoxie. Marie graduated from Traverse City High School in 1937 where she played girls basketball for the Trojans.

On April 27, 1939, Marie married Mr. Robert J. Ludka at Immaculate Conception Church in Traverse City. Together they had three children, Don, Linda, and Bobbie. During World War II, Robert and Marie moved to the Detroit area where Robert worked in a factory building tanks for the war effort. During this time, Marie was a homemaker caring for their children. Soon after the war, the Ludkas moved back to Traverse City.

Marie earned her nursing degree in 1948 and began working at Munson Hospital. She spent the first six years of her career working in the Maternity ward. She then transferred to E2 where she worked until her retirement.

As a young widow at the age of 36, Marie managed her career, an impeccable household and lovingly raised her three children as a single parent.

Marie married Mr. Wallace H. Campbell on August 4, 1966 in Traverse City. They purchased the family cottage on Long Lake and made it their permanent home where many family memories were made. Marie's grandkids will never forget the long summer days spent swimming, fishing, skiing, rowing to the cove and picnics on the sandbar. The routine at the end of a perfect sunny day was hanging the towels on the line, placing the fishing poles in the shed, carrying the life jackets to the garage and finally filling buckets with water to rinse the dock of sand. At any age, Marie rocked a bikini with the best of them.

Marie was an avid reader averaging two books a week. She was a talented artist and an accomplished seamstress. She had a flair for fashion and designed and made many of her own clothes.

Marie and her daughters never missed a mushroom season. She enjoyed hiking in the woods searching for the big ones. If they were successful, no one knew because the excuse was always…"tooooo dry."

Marie was known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Grandma Ree. She has been a true inspiration and a great role model for them. Spunky spirit, serenity and strength are the things they will always remember about Grandma Ree.

Marie is survived by her children Donald (Jean) Ludka of Traverse City, Linda (Jerry) Dell of Lake Ann and Bobbie (Mark) Ciolek of Maple City. She is also survived by her grandchildren Mark (Suzette) Ludka, Chris (Cyndi) Ludka, Ben (Andrea) Ludka, Courtney (Aaron) Biggar, Josh (Brandee) Ludka, Joe (Terry) Dell, Todd (Kelly) Ciolek and Jennifer Marie Ciolek; great-grandchildren, Maria, Jonathan, Anna, Nicholas, McKaely, Anthony, Max, Remo, Sam, Olivia, Helen, RoseMarie Adeline, Matthew, Luke, Eli, Brenen, Maren, Lindsey, Ashley, Jackson, Conner, Nora, Oscar; and her remaining sister Dorothy (Henry) Arkestyne of Grand Rapids.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father Edward Boyd; first husband, Robert; second husband, Wallace; brother, Wallace Hoxie; sister, Lucille Kirkwood; in-laws, Sarah Hoxie, Frank and Lillian Ludka, Bernard Ludka, Donald Ludka, Viola and Vernon Emerson, Beatrice and Pat Garland, Mary Louise Ludka, Donald Campbell and Jane Campbell.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Southridge Assisted Living facility, the caring staff on A4 at Munson Medical Center and Munson Hospice.

Private family services will take place.

Memorial contributions in memory of Marie may be directed to Munson Hospice.