A Celebration of Life Service for Marcia Bahr, age 72, of Jackson, will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson with Pastor Russ Steele officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery in Jackson.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson. The service will be livestreamed on the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Facebook page. A reception will be held on Tuesday, June 11th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Jackson American Legion Post #130.

Marcia was born January 26, 1952 to Robert and Arlene (Mickelson) Samp, the third of four children. She went to school in Walnut Grove and Petersburg before graduating from Jackson High School in 1970. Marcia then attended the Johnson Academy of Beauty Culture in Mankato, before opening her own cosmetology salon ("Guys & Gals") in Sherburn, which she owned and operated until 1990. After moving to Jackson, she held positions at Farmers Insurance, Jackson Medical Center, Accent, and the American Legion club before retiring in 2010.

Marcia married her high school sweetheart, Gaylord Martin, in 1974 and they welcomed their beloved daughter, Jessica, in 1979. After 5 years as a single mom, Marcia married Larry Bahr in 1990, gaining 3 wonderful stepchildren: Scott, Lori, and Cory. The pair began their union with a honeymoon to Graceland (which surprised no one) and shared a life full of love, laughter, and card games until Larry's death from cancer in 2006.

Marcia was a passionate, longtime community volunteer. She served in multiple positions at St. John's Lutheran church in Sherburn, joined the Sherburn Jaycee Women, was a board trustee for Fox Lake Golf Club and Jackson Golf Club, was a member of VFW Auxiliary #900, and she was very active with the Jackson Legion Auxiliary #130 (as drum corps sergeant at arms, vice president, and board president for 12 years). After caring for Larry throughout his battle with cancer, Marcia became a hospice volunteer in Jackson and supported many local families through the death of a loved one.

In her younger years, Marcia loved playing slow-pitch softball and was the pitcher for the bank's town team in Sherburn for many years. She was a huge fan of the Jackson Bulls baseball team (coached by stepson Scott) and was a regular at their games. Marcia loved spending time with her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, and attended their activities whenever she could. In her free time, she loved reading, doing crossword puzzles, golfing, yardwork, jigsaw puzzles, and playing cards (especially 500 and poker). Most of all, Marcia loved to spend time with her family and friends; her home was always open to visitors and everyone was treated like family – which she would tell you meant that if you needed anything, you could get it yourself. She was the life of the party everywhere she went, well known for her boisterous personality and big laugh. Her generosity and amazing cooking skills will be missed by so many.

Marcia Bahr passed away peacefully on May 27, 2024, at Sanford Jackson Medical Center in Jackson, Minnesota.

Marcia is survived by her children: daughter Jessica Martin (Matthew Johnson) of Bothell, WA; stepson Scott Bahr of Jackson, MN; stepdaughter Lori (Larry) Smith of Boise, ID; stepson, Cory (Jennifer) Bahr of Loganville, GA; grandchildren Austin (Kristin) Lev, Kaitlin (Jeff) Flynn, Easton Bahr, Ella Bahr, Jackson Bahr, Lukas Johnson, and Logan Johnson; and great- grandchildren Grayson, Weston, and Lincoln Lev; sister Julie (Joe) Ilacqua; brother Karl (Gail) Samp.

Marcia was preceded in death by her husband Larry, grandson Zachary, father Robert, mother Arlene, stepmother Rose, sister Sheryl, nephew Torrey, and many other treasured relatives.

In lieu of flowers, Marcia's family suggests donating to the American Legion in her memory. https://mylegion.org/

personifyebusiness/donate#legion-org.