Obituary: Marian Boxer

As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:

Marian Boxer, R.N., beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, went to be with her Lord on August 14, 2024. Surrounded by her loving family, she died peacefully following a five-year battle from injuries sustained in an auto accident. A beautiful woman of deep faith and exceptional grace, she excelled in many endeavors throughout her life.

Marian was born in Hancock, Michigan to her parents Toivo and Jeanette (Walitalo) Maki, on May 18, 1949. She was very proud of her Finnish Heritage. A graduate of Hancock Central High School, class of 1967, she continued her education by attending Michigan Technological University. She graduated in 1978 from the Nursing Program with High Honors and was selected to Tau Omega Pi Honor Society. Marian married Herbert Boxer, in Hancock, Michigan on July 26, 1968, at the Franklin Street Apostolic Lutheran Church. They were blessed with sons Jay and Marc.

Marian flourished in her role as a hockey players’ and hockey coach’s wife, as well as a hockey mom. She made many friends in the hockey community, including players, players’ wives, coaches’ wives, and, especially, the families of Michigan Tech players. This role led her on a lifelong journey while living in Houghton, MI, Fort Worth, TX, Norfolk, VA, Kalamazoo, MI, Memphis, TN and Colorado Springs, CO.

Throughout Marian’s travels she continued to develop her well respected career in the Nursing profession, which spanned 40 years. Beginning in Hancock in patient care, she soon branched into agency-specific, state and federal compliance management, specifically in the nursing /home health setting. Well respected in her area of expertise, she was credited with multiple journal publications.

Marian officially retired in the spring of 2016 and looked forward to traveling, visiting friends and family, and exploring the mountains and trails in the state of Colorado with her hiking group. She enjoyed her annual trips to Florida for vacation and walking its beautiful beaches. Marian was active in her Bible study group and book club and was also a talented seamstress and knitter. Marian had a special place in her heart for her four pups, and her Sadie spent the last five years always by her side. A beautiful woman inside and out, Marian took pride in being well presented. She greeted everyone with her wonderful smile and enjoyed sharing stories of her grandchildren, of whom she was so very proud.

Marian is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Herbert Boxer; sons Jay Boxer and his children, Jake and Sophie; and Marc Boxer (Rachel) and their children, Jack and Max; sisters Joyce (Jim) Tapani (Hancock, MI) and Jane (John) Bowen (Calumet MI), brother-in-laws Dick Walrath, (Hancock, MI), Jerry Lukach (Bessemer, MI) and Jerry Harjala (Trap Rock Valley, MI); sister-in-laws Susanne Boxer (Hancock, MI), Carol (John) Lawson (DePere, WI), and Elizbeth (Thomas) Toutant (Hancock, MI); and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, Toivo and Jeanette Maki; parents-in-law Herbert and Sally Boxer; and sisters Audrey Harjala, Anita Walrath, and Christine Lukach.

A graveside service will be held on September 27, 2024, at the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock, MI at 1:00 PM. Following the service, friends of Marian and her family are invited to attend a celebration of her life at Gino’s restaurant from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorial contributions be given to the Copper Country Humane Society in memory of Marian Boxer. The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting locally. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.