Marian and Art Lies
On the occasion of Lyn Edwards 80th birthday in 1997, Marian wrote the following:
“For me, the Spirit Movement bumped into my life when I least expected it, and long before I knew what it even was. Rod and Priscilla Wilson suggested Art and I attend a course called RSI at the newly opened Ecumenical Center in our neighborhood of Norwood Park. I struggled through lectures and readings that left me confused, shocked and often angry and in complete wonderment of the “Three Joes”: Mathews, Slicker and Pierce. Not exactly my idea of what church leaders should be with their salty language, chain smoking and great storytelling. That was the first bump.
It seemed I had said keys to a very bumpy ride – a tentative ride to be sure at first. There were more courses, each one piquing my curiosity. There was pedagogy (I said ‘no’ to that although I tried twice). Guardians meetings and of course the New Women’s Forum – that marvelous time of awakenment, action and spirit-filled times: with the preschool children, time for study and growth, time pent with some wonderful women in work and celebration. These women are my soul sisters.
In 1976 I went to Minneapolis to do Town Meetings. Barely off the plane, I was hustled into a car with a young man I had never seen before to travel to a small town where we were to do a meeting. As we arrived the town was lit up, in expectation of our arrival we thought. However, they had forgotten about this event and the organizer was at the bowling alley for the evening. There were people at the high school so we thought maybe they were waiting for us; but no, it was parents night. The next day Mirja Hanson and I began a trek through Minnesota, introducing ourselves and setting dates for future meetings. We actually did a Town Meeting in a gym we shared with the girls volleyball team. It was a week I will never forget.
Although Art never did warm to the “Spirit Movement”, he did struggle through RSI twice. In his old age he has mellowed and enjoys his work in the church. He grew to enjoy the company of ICA colleagues.
Arthur Lies
October 14, 1926
Obituary
Arthur N. Lies Jr. of Kingsford, passed away on Saturday, January 14, in Iron Mountain. Art was born in Chicago, IL, son of the late Arthur Sr. and Edna (Bratschi) Lies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in business and economics from Lake Forest College. Art learned to drive at the age of twelve and learned auto mechanics at a young age from the local gas station. These skills served him well throughout his long career in the automotive business. He served in the Philippines during WWII with the United States Army Air Corps. After serving overseas, he was honorably discharged in 1947.
Art married Marian Morris on Sept. 6, 1952 in Hinsdale, IL. They raised their family in the Chicago area, where Art owned and operated an auto leasing company. While in Chicago, he was a member of Norwood Presbyterian Church and was very active with the National Presbyterian Mariners. He and Marian moved from Chicago to Kingsford in 2012. Art was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. He loved to work and never fully retired. He also enjoyed fishing, camping and photography.