Our dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Marcia Jean (Lanning) Bultman, 88, was born in Chicago, IL in 1938, died in Rockford, MI on September 11, 2026, and now lives in her forever home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the family of God.

Marcia was the second of Arthur and Jean (VandeKieft) Lanning's two children. Her earliest memory was moving to Holland, MI at 1 ½ years old. She loved making up and performing plays with friends, especially enjoying western themes with horses and cowboys. She also loved going to Tulip Time in her hometown. She graduated from Holland Christian in 1955, then worked as a secretary in the City Clerk's office, using her excellent shorthand skills. At Calvin College (Grand Rapids), she studied English, and also received a vocal scholarship. She loved singing soprano in Calvin Oratorio Society and Radio Choir. After two years of college, at age 19, she taught kindergarten for two years at Muskegon Christian Schools, where her father taught in the high school. Returning to Calvin in the fall of 1959, she met her future husband, Stanley Jay Bultman, at the Calvin Fall Music Festival. She was always an excellent student and loved learning. Following graduation from Calvin in 1961, Stan & Marcia were married in the brand new Calvin Seminary Chapel on August 17, 1961. Theirs was the first or second wedding held there, with organ and harp adding to the celebration. They were married by Rev. Lawrence Veltkamp, who also sang "The Lord's Prayer."

Marcia then taught 1st grade at West Side Christian School (Grand Rapids). Stan often praised her skill as a teacher, telling how she wrote special plays and guided her classes in performing programs, as well as helped students with reading difficulty learn to read well. She also used and honed these skills in Rehoboth, NM and Lyndon, WA, where she taught VBS and took graduate classes during Stan's summer ministry assignments. She obtained her master's degree in teaching reading from Michigan State University. They spent a year in Framingham, MA, where she also taught 1st grade.

In 1966, they moved to Mt. Pleasant, MI, where she began serving alongside her husband as a pastor's wife, first at Mt. Pleasant CRC (University Church), where he worked with the campus ministry at Central Michigan University (1966-69). Their daughter, Sherese, and son, Steven, were born there. The family then moved to Atwood, MI where Stan was pastor of Atwood CRC (1969-74); their son, Kyle, was born there. Northern Heights CRC brought them to Kalamazoo, MI (1974-83). Marcia wrote and directed VBS or Christmas programs, sang special music, and guided their children in playing special music in church. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker, working with Stan in their home and garden, canning, freezing, and preparing good food from the garden, and supporting her growing family's endeavors in music, academics, and so much more.

In 1986, Stan became the Executive Director of Hospital Chaplaincy Service, later called Chaplain Services (Grand Rapids, MI). This precipitated the family's move to Grand Rapids in 1987, back to where Marcia & Stan first met. They became members of Princeton CRC in 1987. Marcia worked with Stan in the HCS/CS office as assistant editor & writer, and they often worked on newsletters and preparations for HCS/CS dinners together.

In 2006, they retired together. Retirement allowed Marcia more time to enjoy her life interests, which included time with family and friends, flowers, tending her flower gardens, nature, and writing. Attending classical or other music performances of family members was another favorite. Other interests included telling family history stories, books, reading, cooking, baking, picnics with family at the beach and parks, and camping. She loved cats, especially family pets Snoopy and Peanut. She enjoyed making the children's literature she treasured come alive for her children and grandchildren, and shared her love for her Savior with them and others all through her life. She was loving, committed, nurturing, hospitable, determined, persistent, encouraging of academic and musical endeavors, and had a special spark as she shared stories, laughter, and life with others.

Her family was very important to her and includes her beloved husband of 60+ years, Stan Bultman (deceased), and their much-loved children and grandchildren: Sherese Bultman Mom and children Katrina (deceased), Liesl, Jeffrey, & David Mom; Steven (Kim) and children Reyer & Reed Bultman; and Kyle (Beth) Bultman. Her dear family also includes her brother, Arthur (Penny) Lanning; brothers and sisters-in-law Robert & Carol Bultman (both deceased), Joanne (Larry, deceased) Boerman, David (Mary Jo) Bultman, & Andrew (Kathy, deceased) Bultman, as well as her 18 nieces and nephews and their families, the children of her brother Art: Greg (deceased), Cindy, Barb (deceased), Judy, and Eric, of her brothers/sisters-in-law Bob: Tom, Jane, Mary, Sue, Steve, and Bruce; Joanne: Bev, Paul, Judy, and Janeen; David: Jodie and Nathan; and Andy: Sara.

Memorial contributions in Marcia's memory may be made to Princeton CRC. Visitation will be held at Zaagman Memorial Chapel in Grand Rapids on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids with Rev. Douglas Vrieland officiating.

A memorial service for Marcia and Stan will be held at a later date. The date and time will be announced on Marcia Bultman's obituary page on the Zaagman Memorial Chapel website.