Marcelle Marie Vander Syde's Obituary
Vander Syde, Marcelle M. (Christenson) age 99 passed away peacefully on July 4, 2022, surrounded by her adoring family. Max, her husband, passed on January 31, 2011, and she is preceded in death by her father Charlie Christenson, mother Arlet (Flanagan), younger sister Katherine Van Guilder, and her younger brothers Jake and Dale Christenson. She is survived by two sons Michael (Angelika), and Boyd, two grandchildren, Shane (Kathleen), Heather Budreau (Jim), three great-grandsons, Owen Vander Syde, Trey and Peyton Budreau, two step-granddaughters, Jennifer and Nicole, one step-grandson, Andrew (Deceased), six step-great-grandchildren, Matthew, Heather, Angela, Marlena, William and Alec. She was born March 10, 1923, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She preferred to go by the nickname Marcie and on her family's side they called her Tootie.
Marcelle stayed active and curious her entire life giving her a wealth of experiences, accomplishments, hobbies, and interests. After graduating she went to school for bookkeeping. She married Max in 1947 and did the bookkeeping for the family farm until 1954, when she and Max moved to Florida with their two sons. Settling in Lealman she started the Cub Scout Pack and served as PTA president for two consecutive years [at Lealman elementary]. Marcelle and Max got into camping and boating when they joined a boat club where they gained many lifelong friendships that long out lasted the club. When Max and several co-workers bought out the electrical contractor they worked for, Marcelle once again put her bookkeeping skills to use keeping the company's books until their retirement in 1980. For the next twenty years they toured North America in a motor home visiting every state in the United States and every Province in Canada and many of them numerous times, as well as 26 other countries by air and sea. Marcelle enjoyed sewing, gardening and bird watching. She was an avid reader, reading a wide variety of topics from fiction to history. She also had a passion for the family's genealogy along with it's stories. Marcelle had a warm charming personality with an innate ability to connect with people of all ages. She had no shortage of stories that were laced with her amazing wit-filled sense of humor, which brightened and lifted spirits everywhere she went. She loved and cared very deeply for her family as they did her. She was the finest example of a human anyone could ask for and will be missed dearly.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 23, at Memorial Park Funeral Home at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Suncoast Hospice 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, Fl 33760
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