Maren B. Balcer age 84 of Manistee passed away August 7, 2020 at Manistee Medical Care Facility.

She was born on April 3, 1936 in Ludington, MI daughter of the late Nels "Swede" & Mary (Zwiefka) Andersen. Her family moved to Manistee when Maren was two years old. She was a graduate of Manistee High School class of 1954. Maren went to work for Michigan Bell as a telephone operator and in 1955 she married Frank Balcer at Saint Joseph Church in Manistee. She quit her job after her first child was born to be a wife and mother to her family.

Maren was very active at Manistee Catholic Central Schools particularly with the Manistee Catholic Central Athletic Association and was inducted into Manistee Catholic School's Hall of Fame in 2003. She served her community as an election worker for many years and was a member of Saint Joseph Parish where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was also a member of the Altar Society.

Maren enjoyed knitting, reading and baking sweets for the ladies at Betty's Beauty Shop.   She also accompanied her husband and was at his side during his many years of broadcasting High School Sports. She has traveled extensively to support her children and grandchildren during their participation in high school and college sports.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years Frank Balcer of Manistee, MI her

Children – Kathryn & Steve Searles of Marshall, MI, Martin of Lake City, MI and John & Peter of Mesa, Arizona, her Grandchildren - Douglas, Justin, Ashley, Zane, Rhawna, Kierha & Morgan, her Great-Grandchildren - Anna, Evan,Will, Nolan, Drew and Luke, her sisters & brothers & their spouses - Connie & Donald Johnson, Sharon & Art Minster, Maryanne & Art Nickleson and Robert & Linda Andersen all of Manistee, MI, Donald & Dori Andersen of Muskegon and Sue & Ed Remieka of Merritt Island, FL and her Sister-in-Law Phyllis Shively of Manistee, MI.   Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Martin a& Stella Balcer, Grand Daughter Kari Searles, Sisters-in-Law Lucille & Genevieve who passed away before Maren became part of the Balcer family and Brother-in-Law Donald Shively.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, August 17, 2020 at 11:30 AM at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with family friend Reverend Richard Bartoszek celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday morning, one hour prior to the funeral mass.

In Lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Maren's name for Manistee Catholic Central Schools. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and will be available at the church on Monday morning.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.