Aline Stiem

Aline “Lina” Stiem, 86, of Benton Harbor passed away Monday, April 4, 2016 in Niles. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 10:30 AM at First Assembly of God-Blue Roof Church, 3084 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Robert Stiem officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, April 8, 2016 from 6 PM until 8 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph and at the church on Saturday, April 9 at 9:30 AM. The service follows at 10:30. Memorial contributions are being accepted; charity to be determined. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for Lina may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Lina was born on June 21, 1929 in Glowina, Poland to Karl & Helene (Bonkowski) Liedtke. On October 21, 1949, she married Otto Stiem, in Hov¨er, Germany. For almost 60 years, Lina and Otto managed their fruit farm in Sodus Township. Lina loved gardening and flowers. For over 20 years she served in the nursery, on the funeral committee and sang in the German choir at First Assembly. Her kind, unassuming hospitality was without limits. She was also an accomplished seamstress. Lina is survived by her children, Henrietta “Heni” (Hugh) DeLaFore^t of Coloma, Dori (Scott) Keegan of Niles, and Robert (Margo) Stiem of Harrisburg, PA; grandchildren, Natalie (Joe) Macerata, Joel Keegan, Erik (Kristen) Stiem,  Lindsay Stiem, and Aaron Stiem; great-grandchildren, Ava and Marcella Macerata; siblings, Erna (Martin) Mueller of Walton Hills, Ohio, Arnold (Mary) Liedtke of St. Joseph, Albert (Diana) Liedtke of Benton Harbor, Gisela (Robert) McClure of Belleview, Florida, and Paul (Irmgard) Liedtke of Bielefeld, Germany; and brother-in-law, Edmund (Alma) Stiem of Winnepeg, Manitoba. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and siblings, Robert and Clara Liedtke.