Marlene Joyce Thompson, 82, of Hopkins, dies early Saturday morning, May 2, at the Green Acres assisted living facility in Wayland. She had fought a fierce and lengthy battle against dementia.
Born March 20, 1938, in Grand Rapids, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Dorothy (Phillips) Adrianse and devoted wife of Carl Graham Thompson. She was a longtime member of Heritage Baptist Church in Kentwood and a former member of Wayland Baptist Church, where she had been a Sunday School teacher and Children’s Church leader.
Marlene was well known in Hopkins where she had been a bus driver for Hopkins Public Schools for many years. Singing “Wheels on the Bus” with her bus kids brought Marlene great joy. She was also known to sing “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck” to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and any other babies that came her way.
Marlene always especially looked after the children on her bus route who could use a helping hand. She would go out of her way to ensure they had warm, clean clothes and a full belly. No one ever went hungry under Marlene’s watch and there was always room for a slice of her famous carrot cake.
Besides her husband of 66 years, Marlene is survived by her children, Pamela (Danny) Kisner, Randy (Robin) Thompson and Daniel Thompson; siblings, Ronald “Max” Adrianse, Dona (Bruce) Doezema, Dorothea “Dottie” Kent and Helen (Stan) Carey; sister-in-law, Deb Adrianse; grandchildren, Kimberly (Ron) Evink, Timothy (Stephanie) Kisner, Randi (Dan) Knapp, Michael (Dianna) Kisner, Rob (Cara) Thompson and Rick (Lindsae) Thompson; and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Donald Adrianse, Dawn (Harry) Robinson, Eva May “Molly” Reed, Frederick “Tom” Adrianse and Diana (Robert) Royce; sister-in-law, Lois Adrianse; brother-in-law, Theodore “Ted” Kent; niece, Sheryl Reed; and nephew, Jeffrey Reed.
In accordance with recent regulations regarding the pandemic, and to maintain the health and safety of loved ones, Marlene will be laid to rest privately in Maplewood Cemetery, Hopkins Township. The family will receive friends at a Celebration of Life. which will take place in the coming months. Details will be posted at www.gordenfuneral.com when those arrangements are finalized.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kindred Hospice, 625 Kenmoor Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
