Marianne J. Tarr

Marianne J. Tarr, 98, of Zeeland, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, at her home at the Royal Atrium Inn. Marianne was born in Monchengladbach, Germany, on February 16, 1927. During her adolescent years, her life was greatly affected by World War II, during which she endured many hardships. Her life took an unexpected turn when she met her husband Edward Tarr, a British soldier who was stationed in her hometown of Neersen, Germany, at the war's end. A courtship ensued and she moved to Weston-Super-Mare, England, and the two were married on December 30, 1947. Marianne and Ed lived a full life in Weston-Super-Mare and enjoyed the companionship of Ed's family and many friends. While there, Marianne taught herself English (with Ed's help) and took the initiative to search for a job on her own. As she was a trained seamstress, she found a job at a dress shop in town. She eventually became a supervisor and continued to enjoy sewing and fashion throughout her lifetime. In 1972, Ed and Marianne took another leap of faith and moved to Zeeland, Michigan, to be near Marlies and Jack H. DeWitt, her sister and brother-in-law, and their young family. Their mother Sabine G. Totten also arrived in Zeeland, and the family was reunited. Marianne and Ed were active in the upbringing and daily lives of Jack and Mariles' children - Tom, Sabina, and John. While in Michigan, Marianne pursued many interests and was gifted in gardening/tending to her flowers, sewing, knitting and crocheting. She also took classes in ceramics. She was a member of Second Reformed Church and participated in the knitting club. Over the years she made hundreds of baby blankets for friends and family in West Michigan. A big moment for Marianne was becoming a U.S citizen after Ed's death in 2005. Wherever they went, Marianne and Ed created a wonderful circle of friends. Marianne was a gifted hostess and cooked delicious meals in her small kitchen. She loved visits and conversation and hosted countless people for coffee or tea at her home. Their greatest joy was spending time at their cottage in Croton with many other European couples who lived through the war and somehow ended up in West Michigan. Marianne was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Edward W.H. Tarr and her parents Franz and Sabine Totten, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kenneth and Pat Tarr, and brother-in-law Jack H. DeWitt. She is survived by her sister Marlies DeWitt, her nephew Thomas (April) DeWitt, niece Sabina DeWitt Otteman (Andy), and nephew John DeWitt, all of Zeeland. She is also survived by great nephews and nieces: Jacob DeWitt, Warren DeWitt, Monika (Scott) Binder, Alex DeWitt, Jeffrey DeWitt, Christian Otteman and fiancée Zoe Rice, CJ (Makayla) Otteman, and Marlies Otteman and fiancé Ben Adamson. Family in England include niece Linda (Rob) Hopkins and family and nephew Michael Tarr and family. Marianne is also survived by extended family in Germany and many friends. Services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, May 12, 2025, at Second Reformed Church of Zeeland, 225 E. Central Ave., Zeeland MI 49464, with visitation beginning at 1 pm prior to the service. A time of fellowship will be held after the service with committal following at Zeeland Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Second Reformed Church, Building Fund. The family would like to thank Royal Park Place and Royal Atrium Inn, as well as Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital and Hospice of Holland for their care of Marianne. Also a special thank you to Linda Hopkins, her niece in England, for her many calls to Marianne over the years. For those wishing to watch a livestream of the service, please go to: https://bit.ly/tarr051225 Arrangements by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State Street, Zeeland MI 49464. www.yntemafh.com

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Marianne J. Tarr

February 16, 1927 - April 30, 2025