Marva Jane Held Ittner died on Saturday morning, May 7th, at her home in Skandia. She was the beloved wife of Robert and the cherished mother of Gary, Carol, and Kris.
Marva was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, on November 24, 1943, to Betty and Marvin Held. The family settled in Elkhart, Indiana, and Marva spent her childhood climbing trees and forming loving relationships with her siblings Bob, Dorothy, Susan, and Randy. The bond that they shared is one that time and space never altered.
She met Robert Ittner in 1973, and it was love at first sight. In November of that year, they married and combined their families. They spent the early years of their marriage raising children, Arabian horses, and dogs on a 30-acre farm in Bridgeport, Michigan. In the summer, she tended a huge garden. She had the proverbial green thumb; whatever she planted flourished. The family also spent time at their cabin on the shores of Lake Huron. Sitting by the campfire, walking along the beach looking for Petoskey stones, and soaking up the sun were all favorite past times “Up North”.
When Bob retired, “Up North” took on a whole new meaning as they made the move to the Upper Peninsula. In the middle of the woods and on the banks of the Chocolay River, they made their home. Marva had always loved the woods, and many times a day you would find her walking with her dogs and/or grandkids along the “bumpy road” or on the trails that wound around the property and along the river. She truly believed that taking a walk could cure anything that ailed you. Upon moving to the UP, she became involved in the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association. She served on the Board of Directors as well as a Race Director for the UP 200. Most importantly, she met fabulous people through this organization who would be great friends for the rest of her life.
Marva’s grandchildren were the light of her life. It was rare for her and Bob to miss a hockey or soccer game or not be cheering at a track meet. She loved talking on the phone and sending and getting “letters” from her great grandbabies in Tennessee. She instilled in them the love of the woods and the water, and this will always be treasured.
Marva fought pancreatic cancer with defiance and grace for four years, but that is only one element that defines who she was. She will be remembered for her boundless energy, quick smile and laugh, indomitable spirit, and the love she had for family and friends. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert; her children Gary (Bettye Jo) Barber of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Carol Ittner (Don Harris) of Gulf Breeze, Florida, and Kristina O’Connor of Marquette; six grandchildren, Amber (Bill) Armistead, Rachael (Gabe) Howard, and Austin Barber, all of Tennessee, and Riley, Rory, and Sean O’Connor of Marquette; five great grandchildren, Emily Feyen, Shane, Luke, and Jaxx Howard, and Hadley Jane Armistead; siblings, Bob (Chris) Held of Modesto, California, Dorothy Davis of Port Townsend, Washington, Sue Work of Haines City, Florida, and Randy (Candy) Held of Juneau, Alaska, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law Bill O’Connor, and great grandson Noah Feyen.
In lieu of a funeral, there will be a celebration of her life in August. Memorials can be made to Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (upaws.org), Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association, Box 15, Marquette, Michigan, or Lake Superior Hospice (www.lakesuperiorhospice.org).