On February 28, 2014, Marvel R. (Spencer) LaFranier passed into the loving arms of her Heavenly Savior, Jesus Christ.

Marvel, the daughter of Jake and Nora (Morse) Spencer, was born January 22, 1922 in Nelma, Wisconsin. At age 15, she and her family moved to Traverse City. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1941 and married Louis Gustavadolph LaFranier on August 26, 1945.

Along with working on the farm with her husband, she also worked as a clerk and as a seamstress at Wilhelm's Department Store. Marvel was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church for 45 years, where she taught Sunday School, worked on several missionary committees and held ladies Bible studies in her home. She exercised her gift of helps wherever necessary. She loved her family, serving the Lord in her church and enjoyed sewing and crocheting.

She is survived by her children, Louis B. (Sharon) LaFranier of Traverse City, Dixie Roethlisberger of Traverse City, Jana (Doug) Hanback of New Hartford, NY; son in law Richard Woods of Traverse City; 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; a sister, Wilma Schwind of Traverse City and brother in law Ferris Glass of Traverse City. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Marvel was preceded in death by her husband, daughter Jamie Woods, a son in law Timothy Roethlisberger, brother E. R. "Seab" Spencer and sisters Nina (Puishes) Zeits, Arvilla Stockfisch, Veronica Lewis, Ellen Cunningham and Carmel Glass.

The family would like to thank French Manor Assisted Living, Birchwood Tendercare Center and Munson Medical Center for the care they provided.

Visitation for Marvel will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 4 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 12 noon. The Reverend J. Douglas Hanback will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Marvel may be remembered through memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 ( www.heart.org ) Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Highway, Suite 1155, Traverse City, MI 49684 ( www.hom.org ) or to a charity of your own choosing.