Louise M. Schichtel

We are all defined by the lives we lead, what we do, who we are. We are also defined by the connections we make with the people around us, the relationships we form, and the love we share. Louise Schichtel knew this better than anyone, and cherished her bond with her friends and family above all else. She was the golden seam in her family's tight-knit weave, a loving weave that lives on today.

The year was 1926, and America was enjoying a renewed heyday, as the Roaring Twenties were really roaring. The economy was strong, the nation was in peacetime, and the Progressive Era in our country was transforming our social structure. Prohibition was in full effect, as was Women's Suffrage, and for the first time, a true middle class was emerging. Clearly, 1926 was a time of celebration and renewed hope in our country.

Here in this corner of the globe, the Hormuth family had their own reasons for celebration, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl. Baby Louise was born July 3, 1926, on a hot, sunny Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan , giving the family some fireworks just before the Fourth of July. Louise was the youngest of six children born to John F. and Charlotte W. (Berles) Hormuth, a proud family of German decent, full of proud German traditions. Louise joined siblings Frank, Norine, Edward "Bud", John and Marie. The family grew up faithfully attending the Catholic Church, and Louise attended Catholic Central High School , which she graduated from in 1944.

One day at a high school "mixer," Louise met a handsome young man named Don Schichtel. Don couldn't help but be attracted to the beautiful and sweet Louise, of course. The two began dating, beginning a four-year courtship.

After she graduated from high school, Louise took a job at Michigan Trust, working as a stock transfer clerk. Don attended the University of Michigan , and they were later married on June 19, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grand Rapids.

Together Louise and Don were blessed with four wonderful children, Mary, James, Robert and John. Louise was so proud of her children, and was a wonderful mother.

Louise always put her family first, of course, and attended to their every need. She was very involved in her children's daily lives, and was even a den mother for the Cub Scouts. Together the family spent so many happy times at their cottage on Murray Lake , forming so many wonderful memories during those sun-kissed summer days.

Louise was also a world-famous cook, and made the most wonderful traditional German dishes for her family. She was a woman of great tradition, and with a tremendous appreciation for her heritage and roots, and loved to cook her food in the traditional ways. Her specialties were her amazing beef barley soup, and German potato salad. She loved how a warm meal shared around the dinner table could bring the family closer together, as they shared the stories of their days.

Louise absolutely loved family reunions and get-togethers of any kind. She was a great entertainer, and was a natural piano player who loved to sing. She also had a terrific sense of humor, too, making her an absolute joy to be around. She was famous for giving funny presents to her family, and for writing poetry. Her Christmas card in 2005 was in the form of a poem, in fact, and always brought a smile to their faces.

Louise was very proud of her family, of her roots, where she came from and how her family grew. She spent many years with genealogy as her hobby, researching every branch of her family tree, putting it all in her scrapbooks. And she was so proud of the newest "branches" of that tree, and loved her 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren so dearly.

Louise loved her family deeply, but had a great love for people in general, as well. She made several lifelong friends in high school, and kept in touch with members of her graduating class, which she called her "club girls." She was also a Eucharistic Minister at Blessed Sacrament Church, when she and Don were members there from 1966-1986. She and Don were also very active in the Christian Family Movement, too.

She and Don did so much together, and had a wonderful marriage, full of love and laughter and good times. They traveled often, taking bus tours to New England or out West, or visiting their daughter Mary in Virginia . They also spent many winters away from Michigan's icy chill in Bradenton, Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama prior to that. Louise and Don always got along so well, and she was always his "eyes," helping him with reading or driving.

Louise was helpful that way, and always put others' needs before her own. She was just a wonderful, pleasant woman, who never complained, and who always saw the best in a situation. She was always so kind, and so thoughtful.

Louise loved to write letters to her family. She and her brother John used to create a "newsletter" using their creative talents. Putting pen to paper was more personal to her, transferring her thoughts to the page, through her time and her love. So when they received her letters in the mail, they could smile in knowing that Louise held it, and touched it. She touched us all, held us all so close, through her life and her love. Today her love lives on, in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Louise M. Schichtel (Hormuth), age 79, of Grand Rapids , passed away February 25, 2006. She was preceded in death by her siblings Frank Hormuth, Norine Schaefer, and Edward "Bud" Hormuth. Louise is survived by her husband Don Schichtel; children Mary (Dave) Wieczorek, James D. (Lyn) Schichtel, Robert (Janine) Schichtel, John (Tami) Schichtel; grandchildren Mark (Amy), Tim, Krista, Keith Wieczorek, Brian, Phillip, Kayla, Kari, Jennifer, Julie, Joanne, Rebecca, Jacob Schichtel; 5 great-grandchildren; siblings John (Mattie) Hormuth, Marie Schenden; sister-in-law Geraldine Grala and brother-in-law Rev. Ken Schichtel. According to Louise's wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends are invited to meet with Louise's family on Monday, February 27, from 7-9 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW , with the Rosary prayed at 7 p.m. The Memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with visitation for one hour prior to the Mass. Contributions in Louise's memory may be made to Catholic Central High School .