Margie Lee "Marge" Breitbach

Margie Lee "Marge" Breitbach, 82, of Battle Creek passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, July 8, 2022 after a long battle with cancer. She was born December 31, 1939 in Caswell County, North Carolina to Everette and Hallie (Scarborough) Lanier. Marge grew up in North Carolina, graduating from Randleman High School in 1957. She graduated with Maurice Petty, longtime crew chief for NASCAR legend Richard Petty who was a few years ahead of her in school. She moved to Battle Creek in 1959 with her husband, Wilber H. "Andy" Anderson, and infant son. They were married from April 12, 1958 to November 15, 1971. She was married to H. Thomas Kyvig from March 9, 1974 to September 16, 1985. She married Herbert W. Breitbach on November 1, 1994 and they remained married until his passing on November 7, 2010.

She was a longtime employee at Federal Home Life Insurance Company leaving there to join Ermisch Travel, where she worked until her retirement in 1995. She generously gave of her time, especially after retirement, most prominently in the service club Altrusa, serving many years in a number of positions including president, where she took special interest in their Day Care Centers. She was president of the Battle Creek Visitor and Convention Bureau. She served as an Advisor for Junior Achievement for several years. She was also active in her church, Trinity United Methodist which recently merged to become Chapel Hill United Methodist, serving as a lay minister among other roles. Marge also volunteered at a food pantry; at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in connection to "Volkstrauertag," a Day of German National Mourning; as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army; as a volunteer for the International Festival of Lights, Taste of Battle Creek, the Balloon Championships; plus many other activities over the years. She was also active in her condo association, taking several leadership roles including president.

She was a lifetime member of the NRA and shot pistols competitively for a number of years, just missing making the 1972 Olympic team. Marge was a league bowler and member of the Women's International Bowling Congress from 1971-79.

Preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lucille and Helen, brother Lawrence, and step-son Manfred Breitbach. Surviving are her sister, Martha Sue Connor, and brother, Charles Allen (Janice) Lanier, both of Randleman, NC; her son, Michael H. Anderson of Swansea, MA, his wife Katherine and sons Wilber Henning Owen and Henning Oskar Wade; and, generations of nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by step-children Christa Chapman, and Stephanie and Michael Breitbach, and step-grandchildren Atlee McFellin, and Kate and Lena Breitbach.

Marge Breitbach had a generous and caring spirit, and was always willing to contribute her time and money to worthwhile efforts.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek, where the family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. The service will be Live-Streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/736902925. Please do not send flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Altrusa Club, PO Box 861, Battle Creek, MI 49015. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.

The family has created a beautiful memorial slideshow and it may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/737137827/78d20dc5c4.