Louise Abel

Mrs. Louise Abel of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at the Sturgis Hospital. Louise was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where she married George Abel who preceded her in death August 20, 2000. George and Louise moved to Sturgis in 1945 where Louise was active in the community. Among her notable accomplishments were her many years of service volunteering at the Sturgis Hospital. She served as president of the hospital auxiliary during 1971-1972 and was a lifetime member, chaired several hospital guilds including the Escort, Grobheiser Sewing, Volunteer and Gift Service Guilds. She was also instrumental in establishing the present hospital gift shop when the new facility was built and subsequently volunteered in it. Louise touched the lives of countless individuals during her years of service to the hospital. Louise was also a member and past president (1971-72) of the Sturgis Women's Club, co-chaired the Sturgis Republican Party in the late 1940's and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for many years. George and Louise joined the Trinity Lutheran Church in 2000. Perhaps the best tribute to her are the comments from those individuals now grown who went to school next door and who remember Louise as the nice lady who'd let them retrieve their errant balls whenever they went into her yard. Louise will be missed. She is survived by her grandsons and their wives, Wayne and Sue Abel of West Olive, MI and Dave and Dee Ann Abel of Ada, MI; her great-grandchildren, Erin, Krista, Ryan and Jake. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sons, Russell R. Abel and David G. Abel, I. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 P.M. Friday at the Hackman-Foglesong Funeral Home, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI, 269-651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of Louise Abel will be held at 1 PM Saturday at the funeral home. The Rev. Michael Klafehn of the Trinity Lutheran Church will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Abel's memory consider the Trinity Lutheran Church 406 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Sturgis Salvation Army, 105 N. Fourth St., Sturgis, MI 49091. The obituary is also at www.Legacy.com