On Saturday morning, June 20, 2026, Marie left her earthly body and went home to be with Our Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerome and Millie Zetka; her brother Jack Zetka; and her sisters Gerry Beaver and Janie Divine. Marie is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Paul R. Orum; her daughter, Paula Hartman and son-in-law, Michael L. Hartman; and her cherished grandchildren, Sarah Hartman and Michael Paul Hartman.

Marie was born in Ganado, Texas, and made her home in Houston, Texas beginning in 1957. She worked at Nabisco as a bookkeeper from 1958 until her retirement in 1994. One Saturday night at Cooks Dance Hall in Houston, Marie was asked to dance by a young man who would become the love of her life, Paul. The very next day he got the courage up to ask her to the movies, and that is all it took. Marie and Paul were married on July 1, 1962, beginning a loving partnership that would span decades. Several years later, they welcomed their daughter, Paula Marie, creating a small but close-knit family. Marie loved being a mother. Long before the term “working mom” became common, she successfully balanced a thriving career, a loving home, and family life. She truly did it all. Whether the family was traveling across the United States on summer vacations or working together on the farm they purchased in 1977, Marie embraced every opportunity to build a life filled with love and purpose. Alongside Paul, she helped transform an overgrown piece of property filled with brush and timber into a beautiful farm with a thriving herd of Brangus cattle. Marie took tremendous pride in the herd and in all they accomplished together. During the 1970s and 1980s, when Paul’s business travels often took him away from home, Marie made the most of every moment with Paula. They spent time shopping, going to the movies, and enjoying meals out together, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Marie believed in finding joy in everyday moments and never missed an opportunity for fun and togetherness. When Paula left for Texas A&M, Marie could not have been prouder. She embraced her role as an Aggie Parent and cherished every opportunity to support and celebrate her daughter’s accomplishments. After her retirement, Marie did not slow down. She was an avid baker and loved to cook for her family. She poured her passion into compiling all her recipes and writing a cookbook, “The Best Little Cookbook in Texas”. Besides cooking, one of Marie’s greatest joys was being able to take care of her grandchildren while they were babies. She shared her love of baking and cooking with her granddaughter, Sarah, creating memories and traditions that will be treasured for years to come. When her grandson arrived, she happily embraced the adventure of caring for a baby boy and treasured the unique joys that came with it. She never tired of playing with him, reading to him, and showering both of her grandchildren with love and affection. Nothing brought Marie greater joy than watching her grandchildren grow. She took immense pride in their accomplishments, celebrated each milestone, and cherished seeing them develop into kind, capable, and successful adults. Their achievements and the people they became were a constant source of happiness and pride for her. As Marie would say “they are good looking”!

Marie was true go-getter who approached life with determination and purpose. While she could be tough, her strength was always balanced by her kindness and generosity. She cared for her family wholeheartedly and was a constant source of support, encouragement, and unwavering love. In her later years, Marie faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and ovarian cancer with remarkable strength and determination. Though the illnesses brought difficult days, they never diminished the love she had for her family or the impact she made in their life. Her courage, resilience, and enduring spirit served as an inspiration to all who loved her.

Marie will be remembered for all the love, laughter, wonderful meals, and devotion she brought to her family’s lives. The memories she created will be treasured forever. “Mom” is loved and will be deeply missed.