Mary K. Bastian, age 71, of Gladstone, a 1970 graduate of Wayland High School, died Saturday, April 27, at the UP Health System in Marquette.
Mary was born July 18, 1952, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Frank and Marilyn (Stigers) Bastian.She graduated from Grand Rapids Community College with an associate degree in music and in 1974 graduated from Northern Michigan University with a master’s degree.
She started teaching at the North Central Schools for nine years and then in lower Michigan at the Fulton Schools for 11 years. She worked at Marshall Music as band instructor and repair tech for seven years then moved to Gladstone. She was the music teacher for Rapid River Schools for seven years, retiring in 2009. Mary had one final teaching stint for the Wells Township School District in Arnold, MI, teaching music and band from 2018 to 2023.
Besides teaching, Mary performed with many ensembles, including the Central Michigan Area Community Band, DeWitt Community Band, Alma Symphony, Gratiot County Players Pit Orchestra, Clinton County Players Pit Orchestra, Players de Noc Pit Orchestra, Escanaba City Band, Superior String Alliance Orchestra, Attic Brass and Bay de Noc Choral Society. She also served on the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and worked for Jim’s Music as a repair tech and teacher.
Mary was a member of the Michigan Federation of Business and Professional Women, was an election worker for Pine River Township in Gratiot County, served on the United Way Advisory Board in Gratiot County, served with the Eastminster Presbyterian Church and Alma United Methodist Church in Alma, the Salisbury United Methodist Church in Ishpeming, the First Lutheran Church and Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone.
Mary enjoyed spending time with family and friends, camping, gardening, reading, embroidery and traveling. Her travels took her to 46 states, 5 provinces and 1 territory in Canada, 4 states in Mexico and six countries in Europe.
Mary is survived by her brother, Paul Bastian of Dorr, niece, Rachel Taylor, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Her funeral was held Saturday, May 25, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone. Mary was laid to rest in the Memorial United Methodist Memorial Gardens
Memorial contributions in Mary’s name can be directed to Memorial United Methodist Church, Delta County Community Foundation or NMU’s Music Department.
