Margaret Gruesbeck

Margaret Alice "Marge" Gruesbeck, age 72, of Ovid, MI, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2020, at her home.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor Scott Seelhoff officiating.  Burial will take place at Middlebury Township Cemetery, Ovid, MI.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Marge was born on March 18, 1948 the daughter of Alfred Ford and Irene Wilda (VanAlstine) Harpster.  She was a member of the Ovid Bible Church.  In 1965 she married Marcus VanAtta.  They had three wonderful children and this marriage dissolved in 1978.  In 1982 Marge married Dennis "Red" Gruesbeck and his three sons, they added three children to the family in 1986 and in 1994.

Marge loved children and provided foster home care for both Shiawassee and Ingham Counties for 26 years; inviting 60 children into her home; some times for a weekend, and for some up to three years.  When not caring for children or her family, she loved to shoot pool, playing on St. Johns and Owosso leagues.  She loved camping and riding motorcycles.

She is survived by her husband Dennis "Red" Gruesbeck, her children: Kevin (Chantal) VanAtta, Mindy (Dave) Ostrander, Todd (Patricia) Gruesbeck, Mark (Margie) VanAtta, Chad (Stephanie) Gruesbeck, Brad (Leslie) Gruesbeck, Brandon Gruesbeck, Bryan Gruesbeck, and Alice Gruesbeck; 24 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren  She is also survived by her sister Alma Farrison, brother Lyle Harpster, brother-in-law Larry (Kathy) Gruesbeck, sister-in-law Ardith (Rick) Mulder, and longtime friend and caretaker Rose Borst.  She was preceded in death by her parents, father and mother-in-law Vaun and Irene Gruesbeck, her brother Russell Harpster and her sister Martha Watson.

Memorials may be made to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.  Online condolences can be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes-Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI.