Mary Eiserloh

All who knew Mary Eiserloh will surely agree that she was truly beautiful from the inside out. Compassionate and generous, she was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. Mary found endless joy in spending time with her friends and family, and she always made sure that her loved ones knew just how much they were cherished. Her passion for adventure and insatiable desire to live life to the very fullest could be felt by all those around her. Forever loved, Mary will be greatly missed.

The 1930s were difficult years for those living in the United States. The Great Depression was the source of struggle for many families, and many eyes were focused overseas, where tensions surrounding WWII continued to rise. During this tumultuous time, however, there was joy to be found in the Settersten household as Lawrence and Donna (Ferney) Settersten of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their baby. On May 14, 1938, they were overjoyed to at last hold their daughter, Mary Louise, in their arms.

Mary enjoyed a typical childhood of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the bustling home near John Ball Zoo as the sixth of seven children, and she was very close with her siblings, Bob, Agnes, Florence, Joan, Helen, and Patricia. Mary’s father, Lawrence, supported the family by working as a superintendent of mail for the Grand Rapids Post Office while her mother, Donna, cared for the family as a homemaker. The Settersten’s rich Swedish, Scottish, and Dutch heritage influenced much of Mary’s childhood. Holidays were always spent with family.

As a girl, Mary loved ice skating at John Ball Park, picking blueberries and fresh fruit from local farms, and climbing trees. She was very active and enjoyed running and playing all kinds of sports, and she was fiercely competitive from a young age. Some of Mary’s fondest memories were of summer camp. Mary attended local schools, including Sibley School, St. James Catholic Elementary School, and Catholic Central High School. She excelled in running track and archery. During her senior year at Catholic Central, Mary volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital. She also volunteered with the Camp Fire Girls Camp near Holland, Michigan. Following her graduation from high school, Mary went on to attend Grand Rapids Community College, where she earned her associates degree.

There was nothing that meant more to Mary in life than her family. She met a man named Norman Eiserloh who was visiting her workplace at the time, and the two were soon married in 1961. The newlyweds settled down in Muskegon, Michigan and their family quickly began to grow. Mary was so happy to become a mother to Peter, Mitzi, Karen, Paul, and Alex. She thrived in her role as a mother, and she was devoted to her children above all else. The Eiserloh family moved back to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1969. Though Mary's marriage to Norman would eventually end in divorce, she was always grateful for the family they built together. Later in life, Mary was thrilled to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and doted on them, and she always considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

One of Mary’s greatest lifelong passions was travel. She took trips to the Smoky Mountain National Park, the Rocky Mountain National Park, the Grand Canyon, and down to Texas to visit family. Once her kids were grown, She would go all around the country to visit them in California, Arizona, New York, and Florida. Mary also traveled to China, Bali, France, Mexico, and many more beautiful locations around the world. She often shared the priceless memories from these trips, and she loved to get out there and see the world at every opportunity.

Not one to sit still for long, Mary had many interests to keep her busy in her free time. She loved playing board games and visiting casinos. Mary was a vicarious reader and would often devour an entire book in a single day. Her excellent cooking was well known, especially her chicken curry, roasts, and spicy dishes. Mary had a creative side and enjoyed sewing and knitting, and she had a talent for painting. She stayed active by bowling, golfing, and riding her bike. Later on, Mary found contentment in playing Scrabble and watching cooking shows on TV. Her favorite music included classics from the 60s and 70s, as well as any uplifting music that cheered her up. Mary and her family were members of St. James Catholic Church.

As family members and friends will certainly attest, Mary Eiserloh had a heart of gold. She could be stubborn, but that same determination allowed her to face every challenge that came her way head-on. A dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary always held her loved ones close. She was an unwavering source of strength through the ups and downs of life, and her genuine love for those around her allowed her to impact the lives of countless others for the better. Though Mary will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a shining legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Mary Louise Eiserloh, of Walker, Michigan, age 86, passed away in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Mary was born in 1938 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the late Lawrence and Donna [Ferney] Settersten.

Along with her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her son Peter Eiserloh, brother Robert Settersten and sisters Agnes Warnke, Joan Bouwens and Florence Settersten.

She is survived by her children: Mitzi (Gary) Stolicker, Karen Eiserloh, Paul (Richard Howell) Eiserloh, and Alex (Lou Granirer) Eiserloh. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren Stephen Stolicker, Brigitte Stolicker-Roossien, and great-granddaughter Ember. Additionally, she is survived by her sisters Sr. Helen Settersten (SSND) and Patricia Butler, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt-Shawmut Chapel (2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49504).

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the The Cambodia Academy, (2655 Ulmerton Rd #228, Clearwater, FL 33762). https://www.cambodiaacademy.org/contact

Celebrate Mary’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated web page at HeritageLifeStory.com