MARLYN R. HORNICK

Marlyn Rae (Anderson) Hornick died peacefully, in her sleep, at BCMH with her daughters and her beloved dog Otto at her side. She was born at her parent’s home in White Water, WI. on August 30, 1928. She was the only child of Marie and Archie Anderson. She grew up in White Water and often reminisced of her happy childhood in this pleasant town. After high school, she and her parents moved to Hancock, MI. She wanted to attend MI Tech and pursue a degree in chemistry, but changed her major to Medical Technology. At the time this was a brand new program and she was only one of nine women enrolled in this field of study. She made many lifelong friend there and often told the story of how she and her best friend “Pudge” would get in trouble for knitting during lectures. Her life changed when she met her physics lab partner Jack Hornick, from Houghton. He was just out of the navy and studying Forestry. Although she talked of many suitors during her happy times at Tech, Jack was to be her “one true love”. They married o the 14th of October 1950 in Houghton, MI. She was disappointed with the proceedings as she wasn’t allowed to have any of her non-Catholic friends in the wedding, and there was no fancy wedding cake as the baker had gone fishing. The lived together in the UP for 16 years. Jack (Zeke) worked at his brother Charlie’s gas station in Houghton, taught at Tech, played baseball (Pitcher) for extra money, and finally was hired by the Department of Agriculture as a forester. Marlyn stayed at home and raised their five children. Due to Jack’s job, the family moved around quite a bit. First to Park Falls, WI., then to a Job Corps Center in Clam Lake, WI. Springfield, PA was the next stop, where Marlyn was also employed outside the home. She worked at Tri County Hospital in the lab and again made many dear friends. The family then moved to Romansville, PA to get out in the country where they had more room and could accommodate their daughter Nancy’s passion for horses. Jack was finally transferred to Washington DC. They had a lovely home in Stafford VI with enough land for the horses, dogs, and various cats. Marlyn worked at a Hallmark Shop where she often remarked that the biggest crisis she might encounter was mixing the Get Well cards with the Birthday cards. She really enjoyed this job and the country life. After Jack’s retirement, they finally returned to the UP. They bought a small house in Baraga right on the shores of lake Superior (Marlyn had always wanted a swimming pool…..). Here they could indulge their love of antiques, and refinishing old furniture. They set up the Country Shop on Jurmu Road, and enjoyed going to auctions and antique shows. They also both loved playing bridge, square dancing, and traveling to visit their children, and grandchildren. As Marlyn’s sight began to go, the antique shop eventually closed, but the many friends they both made during this time continued to be an important part of their lives. Her health continued to decline, and when her son John died in 2005, and Jack died suddenly last March, she began to have more medical problems. She was very strong and brave and stayed in her home until a week ago when she finally was taken to the hospital in failing health. She was a strong, opinionated, woman with a great sense of humor and friendship. She loved duplicate Bridge, Marty Robbins songs, her pets, antiques, white daisies, square dancing, T.V. show Survivor, and all her many friends. She was an incredible mother, and a loving wife who worked very hard to keep the family together. She could pack up an entire houseful of things at a moments notice and move to wherever the Forest Service took them. She enjoyed the adventure of living in a new place and making new friends. She will be sadly missed by those she left behind, but she will no longer suffer pain, her sight will be restored, and she will see John and her beloved Jack again, She is survived by her daughter Kathleen Hornick in Baraga, son Karl (Zina) Hornick in Wyoming, son Steve (Peggy) Hornick in Appleton, and daughter Nancy (Roman) Butterfield in Stevens Point, WI. Also, by her beloved grandchildren, Nicole (and great-grandson Alex); Tom, Andy, and Grace; Steve, Kati, Gina (great-grandson Rayne), and Jessie (great-grandson Skylar). The service was held at 4 p.m., Monday, December 10, 2007 with visitation at 3 p.m. at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse.