She was born August 30, 1920 to C. Gust and Louise (Hodgkins) Peterson in Escanaba, MI. In 1942, Marian graduated with a B.A. from Northern Michigan University. She taught for one year in Onaway, MI. She married Lieutenant Peter C. "Cor" Hamel September 17, 1943 on one week's notice after a two-year separation during World War II. The family moved to her husband's hometown of Marquette, MI in 1946. They then lived in Ontonagan, MI and Goodman, WI before moving to Green Bay in 1958, where her husband was Principal of Preble High School. They moved to Oconto Falls in 1998.
Survivors include her husband, Peter; four sons and their families, Maury (Marcia), Edgerton, WI, and their children, Mara, Matthew, Megan and Melanie; Alan (Dawn), Coon Rapids, MN, and their children, Alison and Anne Marie; Mark (Pam), Minneapolis, MN, and their children, Nathan and Gregory; Neil (Robin), Oconto Falls , and their children, Ariel, Rachel, Caleb and David; one daughter and her family, Judy (Kent) Demien, Wausau, and their children, Kent Jr., Mark, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Bethany.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Jean Brayak and Dorothy "Dotsy" Berg.
Family and friends called at First United Presbyterian Church, 605 N. Webster Ave., De Pere. Funeral service was 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Ted Tromble officiating. Entombment in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Cotter Funeral Home, De Pere, assisted the family with arrangements. A Memorial fund has been established in Marian's name.