Marion Kathryn (Schrauder) Brenton, 96, passed away peacefully in her home on April 9. She was born October 19, 1929 in Monroe to John and Margaret Schrauder. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1947 and was a life-long resident of Monroe. Marion attended Michigan State Normal College (currently Eastern Michigan University) and went on to work as a paraprofessional in Monroe Public Schools, teaching Kindergarten students at both Custer and Waterloo and later language arts at Riverside and Lincoln Schools. Marion married William G. Brenton on April 3, 1951 at St. Michael's Church in Monroe. They celebrated 49 years of marriage before his death on March 7, 2000.
Marion was a Blue Bird and Campfire leader, a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and served on the St. Michael Funeral Committee. She was a member of both the Monroe and Frenchtown Senior Citizen Centers.
Marion enjoyed walking, reading, movies, cooking, swimming, travel and nature. Of course, family was the most important part of her life. She combined these loves when traveling on safaris to Africa, India, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Mexico, Ireland and throughout the United States, often accompanied by a child or grandchild on her trips. She loved to teach her children and grandchildren about the beauty and wonder of nature. If an abandoned bird, stray cat or injured critter came near, she was the first to reach out and give it a home or nurse it back to health. Marion will be remembered fondly by family as a loving, giving, caring mother and "Gram."
She is survived by 4 children William C. Brenton (Debbie) of Midland, Robert J. Brenton (Nancy) of Petersburg, Barbara Baird of Monroe, and Bruce E. Brenton (Bobbie) of Monroe; 12 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Marion was preceded in death by her sister Joan Raymond, and in-laws Thomas Raymond, Edward and Phyllis Kurtz, John Leibenguth, and John and Shirley Woodruff.
A visitation will be held Monday, April 13, 2026 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, where a Scripture Service will begin at 7 p.m. She will lie instate on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 127 N. Monroe St., Monroe, with Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Rev. Michael Anagbogu will officiate. Private burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Monroe.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Monroe County Humane Society, SS IHM Motherhouse or St. Michael Church.
Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .