×

Lorna Jean Obiden

Lorna Obiden

HARVEY, MI – Lorna Jean Obiden, age 71, of Harvey, entered eternal life Wednesday morning, January 9, 2019, at UP Health System – Marquette, in the loving, comforting care of her family.

Born March 17, 1947, in Stambaugh, a daughter of Earl and Marcella (Holmes) Larson, Lorna was raised in Stambaugh. She attended the Stambaugh High School where she played second chair clarinet in the school band all four years of high school.

Following her graduation in 1965, Lorna was employed as a waitress at a local hotel and met Mathew J. Obiden of Marenisco who was working at Toumey Tree Nursery with the US Forest Service in Watersmeet. On June 28, 1965 the couple was married in Watersmeet. Following their marriage, Mathew entered the US Air Force and the couple relocated to Frankfurt, Germany. While serving overseas, the couple had two sons, Mathew and Damon. Upon his honorable discharge in 1968, the family moved back to Marenisco before moving to the Marquette area in 1970. In 1976, a daughter, Rachel, was added to the family. Throughout the years, Mathew and Lorna opened their home and served as foster parents to six newborn baby girls until they were adopted. Lorna enjoyed her roles of wife, mother, and homemaker, while also being employed as a receptionist at various offices in the area and finally at Northern Michigan University. In her leisure, she took art classes at NMU and especially enjoyed jewelry making.

She was a member of St. Louis the King Catholic Church in Harvey where she taught religious education classes.

Lorna is survived by her husband of 53 years, Mathew J. Obiden; her children, Mathew E. Obiden of Chassell, Damon (Paula) Obiden of Cedar Springs, and Rachel Obiden of Ashland, WI; five grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; her sister, Roseanne (Mike) Pelky of Plymouth, WI; brothers, Larry (Lois) Larson of Crystal Falls, William (Cathy) Larson of Kingsford, and Ron (Michelle) Larson of Gladstone; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Honoring Lorna’s request, a family celebration honoring her life will be held.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com