Marian Rose Ganas Obituary

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through His servant Marian.

Marian’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August, 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Court St., St. Joseph, with Rev. Ben Micheel officiating. Friends may call prior to the service beginning at 9:00 A.M.. Burial will take place at 3:00 P.M., Michigan Time, at Chapel Hill South Cemetery, 11333 Central Ave., Oak Lawn, Il. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel. Those wishing to share a memory of Marian online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Marian Rose Ganas, daughter of Paul and Rose (nee Musil) Knefelkamp was born in Chicago, IL on November 1, 1948. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Evergreen, IL in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit on December 5, 1948. She confessed her baptismal faith in the rite of Confirmation at Nazareth Lutheran Chicago, IL on April 15, 1962 and was admitted to the altar to receive the medicine of immortality, Christ’s life-giving body and blood. Marian was joined together in holy matrimony to George Ganas on May 10, 1986.

Marian was a devoted wife and daughter. She dearly missed her husband and parents after their passing. She was also a beloved aunt who showered her niece and nephew with love throughout their lives. She was especially thankful to become a Great Aunt to two delightful boys. She was excited to hear of their many adventures and cheer on their spectacular accomplishments in sports. Following in a tradition that her parents started, she loved making Christmas cookies each year with the family. She enjoyed her career working for CPA firms by keeping accounts and preparing taxes for many esteemed customers. Recently at the end of June, she fell at home causing her to end her career at DWC CPA firm in St. Joseph, MI after doing accounting and taxes for over 50 years. She had many fond memories of her co-workers over the years.

On July 26, 2026, Marian Ganas, at the age of 77 years old, fell asleep in Jesus. She is survived by her brother, Paul (Roberta) Knefelkamp, along with her niece, Dr. Elizabeth (Thomas) Jeffers, and her nephew, Pastor David Knefelkamp, along with her Grandnephews, John Jeffers and William Jeffers. She is predeceased by her husband, George Ganas, and her parents, Paul and Rose Knefelkamp. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our sister Marian Ganas.