Marian Juhl

Marian Juhl, 100, passed away in her home on August 22, 2026, shortly after an accident. She died adhering to her own rules, because she was stubborn like that. Her daughter, granddaughter and cat were with her.

Marian was born July 26, 1926, in Grass Lake Township, Minnesota, to Walter Edolph and Isabel Dorothy (Larson) Haglund. The family moved to Oakland County, Michigan, when she was a child.

She was working the checkout lane at A&P when a tall blond came through her line and pestered her until she agreed to go out with him. Of course she married him—on August 21, 1948, in Clawson, Michigan. Her groom, James Lenard Juhl, Jr., made her life interesting for 67 years, until his death in 2015, at their home in Princeton, West Virginia.

Jim and Marian’s first home was in Birmingham, Michigan, where they welcomed two children: James Lenard III, and Karel Jean. Throughout their marriage and many moves Marian had a varied work life, but her priority was always her family. She gave them everything she had to give—and she had so very much to give.

Marian was an accomplished, award-winning artist in a variety of mediums, with a particular fondness for watercolors. She sketched her way through life, especially on the long drives Jim planned throughout much of the United States and Canada. She was up for anything and had a vibrant and generous personality that naturally drew people to her. She chose to live alone, despite entreaties by her daughter, because she (a) wanted her independence and (b) didn’t want to “be a burden” (as if!). In celebration of her centennial birthday, she ordered her usual (fish & chips and wine) in one of her favorite local haunts (shout out to 120 Taphouse in Paw Paw), with Karel, Amy and Toby.

Somehow getting along without her are daughter Karel Juhl and granddaughter Amy Pellenz, both of Kalamazoo; grandson Col. Toby (Ewa) Pellenz of New Hampshire; and great-grandchildren Sara, Gabriel and Anna. Enjoying their reunion are her husband and son; parents; brothers Eugene, Sheldon, Gordon and Duane; sister Janet, and countless other relatives and friends. She was 100, after all.

She wanted “to be barbecued” and has been. Marian loved flowers but she’s not here to enjoy them and so, if you’re inclined, would rather you remember organizations close to your own heart.