Marlene Zaetsch Obituary

My best friend from fifth grade on. So many memories, both silly and serious. I will miss her deeply.

You often hear about those once in a lifetime teachers that have a huge impact on a student's life...Mrs. Zaetsch was mine. She was in turns so tough, and so caring, and above all else, made you feel like you could succeed. I don't have that many memories of high school, but many of them that I do revolve around her class and quiz bowl. Rest in peace.

Glen, I´m so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care of yourself

Mrs. Zaetsch was the first teacher who helped me understand the value of study and hard work. She helped me understand my own value, too.

Full disclosure: she was a really difficult teacher (10th grade American History, and then 11th grade Government). I hated high school at the time, but there was something about her expectations that made me want to do well in her classes. It was a challenge, but it was the kind of challenge that felt like it mattered to meet.

I’ll never forget Government class. A big component of this class was to read philosophy about the role that government can and/or should play in our lives, to reconcile these ideas with the US Constitution, and to synthesize how all these ideas relate to our lives. We had to write papers on these ideas, and present the papers as a group. We then took those papers to a regional event in Lapeer to qualify for high school government debates in Lansing. My group and one other were the only ones to go to Lansing that year. She was so proud of me, personally—and that made me proud. For the first time in my life, I understood the value of education.

And, of course, there were her Christmas cookies. Legendary. She would bake hundreds of these suckers and give them to all her classes. They were the best we’d ever had, and an annual event. “Are you sure you’ve had enough?” she’d ask, all of us stuffed, piles of cookies still sitting on plates. After high school, I had a college class with Mrs. Zaetsch’s son Ken. Around Christmas time, this guy brought in some Zaetsch Cookies. All of my friends—out of high school at this point—were so jealous.

I’m weeks away from student teaching and finally being a teacher of my own. As I’ve progressed in my music education program, where we’ve learned about education philosophy and pedagogy, I’ve reflected on all of my own experiences in public school. Mrs. Zaetsch stands out as one who modeled the kind of teacher I’d like to be. I’m saddened by this loss, but her impact on her community and her students point to a life well-lived.

She will be sorely missed. Love to her husband Glenn, her son Ken, and Ken’s partner Kyle. ❤

Mrs. Zaetsch was my Social Studies teacher back in the early 80’s. I can honestly say my note-taking ability was modeled after hers. I learned a lot from her. She will be remembered fondly. Rest In Peace. ❤

I am so grateful to have had the chance to learn from, and to teach with, Marlene. She shared a dedication to her students and her work that was exemplary. And there was never any doubt that she loved her family. Praying that Gods comfort you and carry you in your loss.

Mrs. Zaetsch was a wonderful person, teacher and Quiz Bowl coach. We have many fond memories of the quiz bowl team meets and competitions. Dryden High School was very fortunate to have such a dedicated and inspirational teacher. Our deepest sympathy.

Mrs. Zaetsch was such an amazing teacher and I will forever remember the impact she had on my life. Her way of teaching wasn't easy, but it made you remember and she helped build such routine and had expectations for us beyond what I would have expected as a student that young. I will always remember each Christmas season when she would bring in her Christmas cookies!

She truly cared for her students and it showed in how she pushed us to succeed and challenged us to be better.

Mrs. Zaetsch was a very tough, very fair, and most importantly, very caring teacher. The lessons she taught went beyond history and government - she taught us to have a good work ethic, to use critical thinking, and how to make learning enjoyable. I'm grateful for the time spent in her classroom.

Mrs. Zaestch was someone I feared going into high school & revered when I graduated. Four years in her classes & two as her cadet teacher made her a loved friend, as well as influential teacher. I left high school with plans to continue my education in government. I still tell my kids stories about how much she poured into her work-I do not know how she had time for anything BUT teaching! I told her how much she meant to me during my senior speech & she was quite emotionalI never realized that her students meant as much to her as we did until that moment (she was very tough on us!) . It was a great pleasure to be taught by her, but an even greater pleasure to know her!

Mrs. Zaetch was wonderful woman who taught a whole generation of us kids that hard work produces excellence inside of and out of the classroom. Through all of my schooling she has remained my favorite.
My condolences to the family.

Aside from my parents, it is easy to argue that Mrs. Zaetsch had the greatest impact on who I am today. She taught me so much more than a love of history and gov't.

She taught me the importance of taking proper notes, she didn't let me skate on my charm, she challenged me to learn more and to know more. I once arrived at school and she asked if I had any interest in going to a luncheon with Bill Bonds. So mom bought me up a change of clothes, and just the two of us headed out to hear him speak.

She recommended me to attend Project Bentley, a week long student lead government role play, she gave us the ability to take part in government competitions, and she introduced me to. mock trials.

I once was playing around with a styrofoam ball that I'd gotten in science class the hour earlier. I remember her saying, "Josie, come give me the ball" After class I asked if I could have it back and she said "No. You'll have to get another one". It reminded me that there was a time and place to be a class clown (and that as not her classroom) - and that my actions impacted more than just me. So I had to tuck my tail and go back to Mrs. Schoenfeld's class and ask for another ball to make my beryllium atom.

I remember my senior year there was a senior skipped day planned. It turned out that it was also the day Mrs. Zaetsch was going on leave for surgery. I remember my core group of friends and I deciding that celebrating Mrs. Zaetsch and sending her off with good wishes was more important than skip day.

We didn't have AP classes and there were times, a few of us needed a bit more of a challenge. When I was a senior she asked me if I wanted the challenge of self study for a semester. While the rest of the class worked on the lesson plan, I'd head to the library every day and work on projects that I thought would help me the most. She gave me a belief in myself that I could find ways to challenge and inspire my desire to learn. She is the reason I was able to succeed at UofM. The way she taught, study, and learn made me a student that could succeed with students that had more education and experience.

When I took a history of the Holocaust course in my junior year, I knew I wanted to donate to her classroom every book I had. I knew she'd love it and use them to teach.

I didn't go back to DHS much after graduation but when I did, I would always walk through the commons area and right into Mrs. Zaetch's room first. She was always who I wanted to check on and share about my studies.
When my dad passed in 2004, I knew I'd be back in the area for at least a year. I went up to the school and into her classroom and asked her how I could help. She said there were a couple of kids that could use some tutoring. I mentored one for that year. I'd have him to the house and work with him on the importance of notes, how to study, and why it was important to learn history and gov't. I know he didn't have the remarkable turnaround I'd hoped for, but it got me back into Mrs. Zaetsch's class and life for a bit and that is all that mattered to me. It gave me a focus that I needed in the worst year of my life.

As teachers go, I respected her and I loved her for giving so much of herself to so many of us. She taught, inspired, and gave us the consistency and boundaries that we needed.

She reminded me of my Great Grandma Barber in the sense that she believed in me in a way that made me believe in myself. I recognized it when I was in high school, appreciated it when I was in my 20s, and have looked to emulate it during my leadership years.

I know I will continue to honor her memory and life as she is active presence in mine. Today, I'm saddened by the reason I am putting words behind it and yet I'm grateful for this amazing woman, her desire to teach, the memories I have, and the words to share them.

Mrs. Zaetsch was such a huge influence on my love of history and knowledge of the constitution. I'm so thankful to have had a teacher like her.

Mrs. Zaetsch was such a huge supporter of mine throughout my school years and an inspiration for me in getting my degree in History. Working with her on Quiz Bowl is among my favorite high school memories!

She was truly wonderful person!

Mrs. Zaetsch was one of my favorite teachers. Before the 9th grade I remember being so scared to have her as a teacher. Everyone said she was so strict and made you work hard. A scary thought for a wet behind the ears junior high class clown who'd rather be home playing video games.
But once in her class, I remember respecting and enjoying the experience much more than expected. She was tough on you academically, but pushed you and had a sense of humor that came out in the most subtle of ways. On more than one occasion I remember learning she had a way dirtier sense of humor than she let on.
Her style as a teacher prepared me for the college learning experience more than any other teacher I had along the way. In my memory she will always live in a positive light and is someone I'll remember until the end of my days. I want to thank her for being a part of my life, however so brief that time may have been, and that I can only imagine how much she'll be missed by those she was close to and loved.

A great teacher and quiz bowl coach. I’ll never forget the colorful verbiage she added to the morning announcements when our quiz bowl team “Dismantled” the competition. Her high expectations for students, coupled with her infectious love for American history inspired so many of us to strive for excellence and pursue our passions.

One of the best teachers ever! She loved us kids like we were her own, my favorite memories of her is sharing our baking tricks with each other!

I had her as a teacher she was a great teacher and cared about her students. She always made sure you were taking notes in her class.she will be missed by most of her former students

I had her in school she was a great teacher she will be missed prayers for the family

Marlene was an excellent teacher and a wonderful lady. She cared deeply about her students and held them to very high expectations. I enjoyed working with her very much. I especially loved when she would talk about the many places she visited. Her Christmas cookies were delicious—a special treat for students and staff! Rest In Peace, my friend.

Mrs. Zaetsch was one of the most influential teachers I’ve had. She was both fun and challenging. I was proud when she selected me to be a CT for her! Rest In Peace, I hope heaven is ready for some quiz bowl!

Marlene was a best friend of mine in high school and a treasured correspondent when we reconnected over email in later years. I will miss her very much. Love, Barbara Place