Marian Bera

Marian Arlene Bera, lovingly known as Mimi, age 91, of Rockford, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at home under the loving care of her family and Corewell Health Hospice. The daughter of Emery Michael and Caroline Elizabeth (Dochow) Petchauer, she was born on October 16, 1931, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended Grand Rapids Junior College. On December 1, 1951, in Grand Rapids, she married George (Papa) Samuel Bera and together they raised three children and enjoyed nearly 52 years of marriage until George passed away on November 10, 2003. She assisted in her husband's business, Midwest Property Management, for many years and was a founding member of the North Kent Bible Church. She delighted in being a greeter at Meijer, putting her "gift of gab" to good use and welcoming customers with a warm smile. Marian enjoyed water skiing at her lakefront home, snowmobiling, sunbathing and socializing with friends and family. Her favorite times were spent travelling with Papa in their motorhome and shelling on the beaches of Anna Maria Island. Her door was always open; her heart and joy was caring for her grandchildren. Mimi always seemed to have Papa by her side and a small, black dog in her purse. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emery and Caroline; her husband, George S. Bera, Sr.; her brother, Robert Petchauer, D.C.; and her nephew, Ron Bera. Surviving are her children, Bobbi Bulman, Brenda Bera-Alters, and George S. (Julie) Bera Jr.; her grandchildren, Jana (David) Fewless, Jessie Bulman, Samantha Alters, Joel Bera, Luke (Kendall) Bera, Brian Bera; and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at her church, North Kent Bible Church, located at 7210 Courtland Drive NE, Rockford, MI 49341. Memorial Contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to North Kent Bible Church, Corewell Health Hospice, or John Ball Zoo. Final interment will be at Blythefield Memory Gardens. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care of Greenville, Michigan, 616-754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marian Bera, please visit our flower store.