Marcia Wierda

Marcia Wierda - Class of 1958

2017 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee

Posthumous
Service to HPS and Community

A graduate of Hudsonville Public Schools, Marcia (Brandt) Wierda was a sustained example of contribution, from teaching at Bauer Elementary to later dedicating much of her life to philanthropy following her retirement. Her influence in the lives of Hudsonville students and the community through her leadership made her a wonderful choice as one of the inaugural recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award.  

Marcia graduated salutatorian of her senior class at Hudsonville High School in 1958. From there she went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Calvin College, followed by a Master’s Degree from Michigan State University. Out of school, her first teaching job was offered in 1961 at Bauer Elementary, with an annual salary of $2,175.  

It was after her retirement that Marcia invested herself in community-oriented projects and services through generous philanthropy. She was involved with organizations such as the Hudsonville Athletic Booster, the Hudsonville Library, public and private school events/drives, and the Bauer Christian Reformed Church.  

In more recent years, one of Marcia’s big passions was Kids Food Basket. She would make hundreds of personalized lunch bags each month for the program to distribute to the kids. She did this as long as her health allowed.  

Marcia passed away on July 17, 2016, from a rare form of blood cancer. Her husband, Ken, and she were big supporters of the Hudsonville Education Foundation.