Elsie Petruschke

Elsie Petruschke, 93, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 9, 2006. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 A.M. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market St., St. Joseph with Rev. Tom Batsky & Vicar Rodney Morrison officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may call from 4-7 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or Trinity Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Elsie was born March 23, 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio to August and Pauline (Sauer) Keding. Her family moved to Gladwin, Michigan where she was raised. She married Albert Petruschke in 1934, moved to Benton Harbor, and spent the remainder of her life in this area, living in Bridgman and St. Joseph. Albert preceded her in death in 1972. Elsie was active in several clubs for years, including the Bridgman Women’s Club, the Friendship Club, and the Widow and Widower’s Support Group. She enjoyed bowling and golfing. Three children survive Elsie: Suzanne (Charles) Smith of St. Joseph, Richard (Dorothy) Petruschke of St. Petersburg, FL, and Karen (Ken) Schiming of Berrien Springs. One son, Fred, her parents, and four sisters also preceded her in death. Elsie is also survived by two sisters: Edna Miller of St. Joseph, Adele Schroeder of Berkley, MI; one brother Carl Keding of Sheridan, MI; twelve grandchildren; four step grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.