Marian Hair, 100

Marian Emerson Hair, age 100, of Harbor Springs, Michigan and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away on December 8, 2022 in Harbor Springs,

She was born Aug. 13, 1922, in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, daughter of the late Donald and Hannah (Lincoln) Emerson.

Her parents had moved from northern Indiana to Canada to farm, then returned to the United States when Marian was a toddler. She spent much of her childhood in Sturgis, and in northern Indiana. She graduated from high school in Flint, Indiana in 1939.

Marian took bookkeeping and business courses and worked in offices in Sturgis. In 1949, she married Robert Hair. His writing and editing career took them and their two children to cities in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Florida and Indiana.

Throughout the moves, Marian drew on her business expertise to work at insurance, real estate, and church offices, as well as in a large corporate accounting department in Miami.

In retirement, the couple moved back to Sturgis in 1988 and Marian volunteered with many organizations, including the Sturgis Library and the First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis. She was also president of the garden club and recognized as Sturgis Citizen of the Year in 1999. Throughout her life, she believed in the value of staying busy and productive.

Both Marian and Bob were active in area historical organizations, and Bob wrote four books on Sturgis history. A local annual award for historian of the year is named in the couple’s honor.

From her parents, Marian learned the principles of hard work, kindness and love for family. She looked forward to gatherings with her siblings and their families, often featuring homemade lemon sherbet and Marian’s own specialty, chocolate cake.

After her husband died in 2016, Marian moved to northwest Lower Michigan to be closer to family.

She is survived by her children, Don (Jo Carmichael) of La Grande, Oregon; Marty (Darrell Amlin) of Harbor Springs; her brother and sister-in-law, E. Keith and Sue Emerson of Tennessee; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their Auntie Mae.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brother, and her sister.

In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Marian M. Hair will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 11th at the First Presbyterian Church, 1320 S. Lakeview Ave. in Sturgis. The Rev. Dr. David Weber will officiate. Private interment of the remains will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is assisting the family with local arrangements.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the First Presbyterian Church, 1320 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091; or to the Sturgis Historical Society, 101 S. Jefferson, PO Box 392, Sturgis, MI 49091.

We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.