Hazel Louise Albrecht

Hazel Louise Albrecht, 89, of St. Joseph, passed peacefully into the arms of Christ surrounded by her loving family on Monday February 21, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Hospital – St. Joseph. Family was of upmost importance to Hazel. She was born on October 29, 1921 in Berlamont, MI to George & Mabel (Fox) Epley. She grew up in Bloomingdale, Michigan, and met a handsome young man named Arnold G. Albrecht. They were wed on January 31, 1943, enjoying a marriage of love, devotion and respect that thrived for 60 years. Hazel worked at Auto Specialties for 40 years in the payroll department. She resided in St. Joseph for 62 years and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. Her sparkling blue eyes lit up during drives along the beach, whenever she visited with family and friends, and as her husband told yet another story. She was fortunate to have lived at home with her grandson, Scott Morris, for the last 2 years. Hazel is survived by two daughters Carol (Ron) LoPresti of Holland and Suzanne (Doug) Snyder of Berrien Springs; two sons Tom (Elizabeth) Albrecht of Stevensville and Don (Lois) Albrecht of Bayfield, WI; eight grandchildren, Scott Morris, Nick (Alison) LoPresti, Darren Albrecht, Darcy (Jim) Ashmead, Deeann (Clayton) Closson, Jennifer Albrecht, Bryce Albrecht, Tony (Faith) Anderson and eight great-grandchildren; Julian LoPresti, Anna LoPresti, Elizabeth, Jenna, Thomas Ashmead, Alec Rice, Colin Closson, and Westin Anderson. The family would like to thank the staff at Lakeland Medical Center and Lakeland Hospice for excellent care and compassion. She is remembered by her family as being loving, kind, patient, tenacious and reverent. All who know her are thankful for time God gave her to us. Words cannot explain how much she will be missed. She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold on April 14, 2003, one brother (George Epley) and two sisters (Ruby Langdon and Ruth Stone). In honor of Hazel, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, St. Joseph, Michigan. The family will greet friends and relatives from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday at the First Baptist Church, 902 Broad St., St. Joseph officiated by Rev. Marlo O. Fritzke with burial to follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Bloomingdale, MI. Friends may send a condolence to the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com