Marsha Jean Erickson Lucas

She was born October 28, 1953, in Ironwood, Michigan, where she grew up on her family dairy and potato centennial farm. Marsha excelled in academics, athletics, and music from an early age. She graduated from Ironwood High School in 1971 after being voted prom queen on her first date with future husband David Lucas.

Upon graduation, Marsha attended Gogebic Community College before transferring to Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Human Health in 1975. She continued her education at Michigan Tech University earning her Master’s degree in Biology and Immunology. Marsha deferred acceptance to medical school at the University of Minnesota to focus on research aspects of medicine. She moved to the Twin Cities where she worked at St. Paul Ramsey County Medical Center as a Research Technologist in the area of Special Chemistry, and furthered her education, earning an ASCP certification as a Medical Technologist.

Marsha and Dave moved to Rochester, NY where she worked as a Research Associate for St. Mary’s Hospital and the University of Rochester. She coauthored several papers on endocrinology and cancer research while serving on their Radioactive Material and Chemical Disposal Safety Committee. She also worked as a Medical Technologist at St. Mary’s Hematology and Coagulation Department.

In 1981, Marsha and Dave spent three months backpacking through Europe before returning to the UP to start new careers. Marsha taught as an adjunct instructor for three years in MTU’s Medical Technology Department and Sanitary Engineering program, and at Finlandia University’s (then Suomi College) Medical Assistant program.

She joined the faculty at NMU in 1986 where she taught for 21 years in the Clinical Lab Science Department before transitioning to the Chemistry Department in 2006. She also adjuncted in both the Business and Mathematics departments at various times throughout her career. Marsha directed NMU’s Forensic Biochemistry program for several years and took over as the Pre-Med/Pre-Dental Advisor for the university after Dave’s passing in 2015.

Marsha was recognized as advisor of the year four times at NMU, was inducted into the Gogebic Community College Hall of fame, and was honored as the commencement speaker at the 2017 Gogebic Community College graduation.

Besides a lifetime of teaching and research, Marsha was a remarkably active member of her community. She had an incredible passion for helping others and wanted to be involved in anything that could better her family, friends, or community. Marsha helped build playgrounds at local elementary schools, actively attended Messiah Lutheran Church, founded and directed Superiorland Soccer Association and the Elder Drive Neighborhood Association, and served on various other committees and boards around town.

She loved caring for and playing with her grandkids and was a devoted daughter and caretaker for her mother over the years. In 1991 Marsha and Dave hosted a foreign exchange student from Japan. Her relationship with Kenko and his family blossomed, and she considered Kenko, his sisters Yurie, and Nanae, and parents Yuriko and Iwane as members of her extended family. Marsha, Dave, and sons had the opportunity to visit with their second family numerous times over the years both in the United States and Japan.

Marsha was also highly active in her own personal life. She was an avid skier (both downhill and cross-country), attended Packer games with friends and family, played tennis, rowed for the U.P. Community Rowing Club and greatly enjoyed hiking and taking her dog Lily for walks along the trails or by the lake.

Lake Superior was a special place for Marsha. As a child she spent every Sunday afternoon picnicking and swimming with her family at Little Girls Point in Ironwood. Her love of the lake continued throughout her lifetime as she would swim 1,000 strokes daily. Even in the winter, Marsha would periodically jump in as a therapeutic activity.

In retirement Marsha became a certified Asahi Nordic Instructor. She loved teaching her classes at the lower harbor in Marquette and even traveled to Finland last summer to finalize her certification process. Marsha was instrumental in implementing the only University sponsored Asahi Nordic class in the United Stated at NMU which she also taught for the last two years. She believed Asahi was an essential practice to helping people of all ages achieve mental and physical health and well-being.

Marsha had a passion for teaching and an unequivocal devotion to helping others. Her altruistic way of life positively impacted countless individuals and her legacy will live on through her lifetime of teachings and public service. She will be deeply missed but ever present.

She is survived by her sons, Adam (Kelsey) Lucas of Saginaw, Evan (Ashley) Lucas of Marquette and Alex (Courtney) Lucas of Madison, WI; grandchildren, David and Evelyn Lucas and Brecken Lucas; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David Lucas; and siblings, Dean & Gail.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 4 to 8 pm at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services. There will be a time for sharing of memories from 7 pm until 8 pm. Visitation will also be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, from 10 am until 11 am at Messiah Lutheran Church. A funeral service will be held at the church at 11 am with a luncheon to follow the service at the Presque Isle Pavilion from 12:30 pm to 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial contributions may be directed to the newly established Marsha Lucas foundation to continue her life’s work.

Memories of Marsha may be shared at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.