Submitted by: Dan Rich

Marjorie Cecelia Studer

June 29, 1923 - Feb. 7, 1999

South Bend Tribune 2/9/1999

Miss Marjorie Cecelia Studer, 75, of Maple Lane, South Bend, Ind., went to be with the Lord at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7, in the home of John and Jill Boughton, where she had recently made her home. She was born on a farm in Lakeville, Minn., one of 14 children of Amandus and Hazel (Finn) Studer. The family couldn't afford to send her to college, but she studied at Beck Radio School in Minneapolis and became one of the first women in radio, serving as announcer and station manager in Poplar Bluff and Mexico, Mo., Enid, Okla., Colorado Springs, Colo., Albuquerque, N.M., and Fresno, Calif. After moving to Hawaii in 1959 she became an executive for Inter-Island Resorts, doing public relations and promotional work.

Marge moved to South Bend during the Blizzard of 1978 to become part of the People of Praise community, which she considered her second family. Her jobs in South Bend ranged from maid to showroom manager in a store. A diabetic from the age of 16, Marge was grateful for her long life and was active in raising awareness and funds for diabetes research. A faithful Catholic, she belonged to St. Anthony parish and loved attending daily Mass. She was working on her memoirs at the time of her death.

Five siblings preceded Marge in death: Eugene, ''Sarah'' Phyllis, Veronica, Father James Studer, O.S.B., and an unnamed infant. She is survived by Robert, Mary Ann, William, Thomas and Dennis Studer, Patricia Miller, Donna Paulak and Dorothy Lorentson, many nieces and nephews. Special friends include Tom and Claire Rienze of Honolulu and, in South Bend, David and Sharon Sklorenko, and Geoff and Susan Kelleher, with whom she had lived for five years before her recent heart attack.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, Jefferson Blvd. at Ironwood Drive. Immediately following, the People of Praise will have a time of remembrance with worship, praise and sharing. The McGann Funeral Home, 2313 E. Edison, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity School, 107 S. Greenlawn, South Bend.