Obituaries

Helen Jean (Bertchinger) Marlatt, age 88, of DeTour, Michigan, died on November 19, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on January 3, 1937, in Lincoln Park, Michigan, to Helen Freida (Schmidt) Bertchinger.

Helen grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and met Donald Marlatt on a blind date in 1953. They married on July 23, 1955, in Dearborn. Helen devoted herself to raising their two children, and the family often traveled to interesting destinations. After Don’s retirement in 1988, they moved to the Eastern Upper Peninsula and settled in DeTour, where they enjoyed their retirement years beautifying their property, snowmobiling, volunteering, spending summers with their grandchildren, and traveling, including their bucket-list trip to Alaska in 2016.

Helen and Don were members of the DeTour Presbyterian Church and assisted with the DeTour Christian Church’s Vacation Bible School, where their grandchildren attended.

Helen was an avid reader who loved the outdoors and found peace near the water or simply watching the freighters go by. Above all, she treasured time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, doing crafts, baking, going on nature walks, and planting flowers. She also loved spending time with friends at senior lunches.

Helen is survived by her son, Jeffery (Mary) Marlatt of Raber, Michigan; daughter, Donna (Greg) Broniak of Oxford, Michigan; grandchildren, Michael Marlatt, Lindsay (Ryan) Burk, Cindy Marlatt, and Kristen (Kevin) Bryant; and great-grandchildren, Max Marlatt and Kinley Bryant. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years.

Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s honor to DeTour Union Presbyterian Church, 430 Ontario St., DeTour Village, MI 49725.