Elsie A. Litke

Elsie Litke, 92, of St. Joseph, was called to her heavenly home on Monday, May 15, 2006. A Celebration of Life Eternal Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 18, 2006, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 John Beers Road, Stevensville, with Rev. Gerald Schroer officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family between 5:30 and 8 P.M., Wednesday, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made either to Hospice at Home or to St. Paul’s Evl. Lutheran Church. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence or sign the guest book on line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Elsie was born on August 23, 1913 in Benton Harbor. She was one of 7 children born to Adolf & Natalie Stubalt. On June 2, 1934 she married Ernest Litke. Together they had 11 children. Elsie was active in the Ladies Aid at St. Paul’s Church for many years and also participated in playing dart ball. She enjoyed gardening and her flowers. She particularly loved her family and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Elsie is survived by her children, Jane Conrad of Stevensville, Don (Linda) Litke of St. Joseph, Alice (Carl) Kelley of Lawton, Elaine Burnett of Stevensville, Doris Gast of Bridgman, Barbara (George) Eckel of St. Joseph, Nancy (J.C.) Thornton of Florida, Kathleen (Ron) Splese of St. Joseph, Leila (Craig) Robards of St. Joseph, and Karen (Gary) Gauthier of Watervliet; 27 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; sister, Eleanor Willis; and her brother, Harold Stubalt. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Ernest; her daughter, Donna Mielke; brothers, Arnold & Leonard Stubalt; sisters Pauline Nernberg & Helen Platts; grandson, Michael Enders; and great-granddaughter, Jenna Brink.