Olga Stachowske

Olga Stachowske, 92, of Benton Harbor went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at the Gilead Elder Care Home. Arrangements have been entrusted with Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home in St. Joseph, MI. Olga was born on June 24, 1920 in Volhynia, Ukrainian to August and Auguste Fritz. She married Reinhard Stachowske in 1940.Together with their three sons they immigrated from Germany to America in 1951. Olga was a member of St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor since 1952. She was a loving wife and mother, and excellent cook, and enjoyed her garden and flowers. She especially loved to can everything from strawberries to peaches. Her baby gold peaches will be missed by many. Olga is survived by her three children, Helm Stachowske of Benton Harbor, Erich (Marion) Stachowske of Adrian, MI and Bruno (Susan) Stachowske of Newburyport, Mass.; four grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and two sisters, Elsie Harke of St. Joseph and Adele (Herman) Harenberg of Germany. She is preceded in death by her parents-August and Auguste Fritz, her husband-Reinhard, and four brothers and a sister. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thurs., Jan. 24, 11:30 A.M. at St. Matthew’s Church in Benton Harbor with Rev. Jeremy Laitenen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Visitation is on Weds., Jan. 23 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Matthew’s Church. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence for the family may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.