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October 25, 2001ObituariesTORCH LAKE - Ralph William Kondal, 71, of Torch Lake, died on Tuesday at home.He was born on Oct., 3, 1930, in Saginaw, the son of Ralph William and Catherine (Martin) Kondal. On June 26, 1955, in East Lansing, he married the former Euphemia "Phyl" Alexander. Ralph was a seasonal resident of Torch Lake since 1968, and a permanent resident since 1986, moving from Birch Run. He worked for 34 years at the GM Grey Iron Foundry in Saginaw, retiring as a general supervisor in 1987. Ralph was in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He enjoyed woodworking, home construction, built several buildings including his home on Torch Lake, was an accomplished wood carver, member of the Northern Michigan Equestrian Sports of Traverse City, produced maple syrup, was a beekeeper, raised various kinds of livestock and was often seen walking his Welsh pony near his home on Torch Lake. Ralph was a Member of the Chain of Lakes Woodcarving Club of Alden and the GM Retirement Club. He is survived by his wife, "Phyl" of Torch Lake; two daughters, Kimberly (Louis) Patterson of Benicia, Calif., and Kerry (Greg) Steck of Greenville, S.C.; one sister, Kathryn Hopper of Bellaire; two granddaughters, Anne and Ashleigh Patterson; and special friends, Dawn and Michael Solinski of Birch Run. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Albert Kondall. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, at the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Interment will be in the Birch Run Township Cemetery. The family will also greet friends Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the O'Guinn Family Funeral Home, Krauss-Torhan Chapel in Birch Run. A memorial service will be held there at 4 p.m. with the Rev. William Eickhoff officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth St., Traverse City, MI 449684, or the American Cancer Society, 525 W. 14th St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Elk Rapids Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. TRAVERSE CITY - Ruth Beckwell, 89, of Traverse City left this earthly dwelling on Monday, Oct. 22, 2001. Death knocked gently on her door and gently she answered and went her way. Ruth was born on Sept. 10, 1912, in Detroit, the daughter of William and Alice (LeDuc) Burkhardt. Ruth's life from beginning to end was filled with the presence of a host of relatives, beginning with her grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters and many cousins. Her own mother, Alice LeDuc, was the eldest of ten children and Ruth was the first grandchild on her mother's side of the family. As time passed, her life was enriched with the arrival of many cousins. On Nov. 28, 1935, she married Leonard Clarence Paul in Detroit. This marriage introduced her to an even larger family that had lived in the Detroit area since the 1830s. Five sons were born to this family, but no daughters. In the succeeding generations there are grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have brought delight to her later years. On Oct. 21, 1967, she married Robert Beckwell, and this broadened her range of relatives even further. Her relatives seem as numerous as the sand of the sea or the stars of the sky. However, this does not yet take account of the further host of friends throughout a long life. She carries with her a treasury of relatives and friends who have filled her life. Ruth did not have the opportunity for extensive formal education nor advanced training, so she was not rich in that kind of knowledge. She lived all of her life with few and modest material possessions. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to doing as well as she could whatever was the task at hand. She had a hunger and thirst for the things of beauty. She found it beautiful to tell people she loved them. She found it beautiful to sew and crochet things for others. She found it beautiful to cook. She rejoiced in the beauty of music and of nature in all its varied seasons. She gave great effort to make herself into a beautiful person. Now, she has set out on her last journey, fortified with the sacraments of her faith and with the final blessing of her family. She had been looking forward to the trip for some time and her family had time to assemble to express a spiritual "Bon Voyage!" Her parting words to us were filled with joy, serenity and wit. It is a blessing we shall never forget. We shall miss her very much until each of us sets out for the same destination when we hope to rejoin her in a state of happiness. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. this morning at St. Francis Catholic Church with the Rev. Father James Gardiner as presider. Mrs. Beckwell's son, the Rev. Father Leonard Paul will con-celebrate the Mass. For those desiring to make a memorial contribution, consider a Mass Intention. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. LELAND - William Henry Nedow Jr., 78, of Leland, passed away on Oct. 23, 2001, at the Leelanau Memorial Health Center. Bill was born in Leland on June 1, 1923, the son of William Henry and Marguerite (Mason) Nedow Sr. On Oct. 25, 1947, Bill married the former Mary Paupore at St. Mary's Church on Lake Leelanau. Bill served his country in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the Leland International Coffee Club and the Leland Volunteer Fire Department. Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Mary; six children, Sandra (Willard) Belanger, Richard (Robin) Nedow, Janice (Roger) Justus, Russ (Sherry) Nedow, Steve Nedow and Joel (Julie Austin) Nedow; sister, Marguerite Killian; 19 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Lester and sister, Esther Kenney. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. There will be a wake service that evening at 7 p.m., also at the funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. from St. Mary's Catholic Church on Saturday, Oct. 27. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Leelanau Memorial Health Center, Mass Intentions, or to the Leland Volunteer Fire Department. Traverse City- Maretta L. Warner, age 87, died Tuesday at Orchard Creek Assisted Living. Maretta was born the daughter of James S. and Etta (Minor) Martinek on Jan. 26, 1914 in Traverse City. Maretta graduated from Traverse City High School in 1931, and was the president and valedictorian of her class. She celebrated her 70th high school reunion this summer. Maretta received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Michigan and continued her graduate work at Northwestern University. She taught vocal music, first in Pontiac, then in Charleston, Ill., where she met her husband, Robert A. Warner. They married June 22, 1940 in Traverse City. In 1956, the family moved to Ann Arbor. They retired to Traverse City in 1984. Maretta was a member of PEO Sisterhood and MU PHI Epsilon, a music sorority. After retiring, she played in the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. She is survived by her two sons, James M. (Susan) Warner of Traverse City and Allen R. (Jo) Warner of Ann Arbor; five grandsons, Michael S. Warner of Cleveland, Ohio, Stephen J. Warner, Robin W. Warner, Gilbert N. Warner and Lee A. Warner, all of Ann Arbor. Maretta is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert, and brother, William Martinek. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church with the Rev. Dr. Gary Hogue officiating. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. ELIZABETH M. MCGILLIS, 89, of Traverse City, passed away on Wednesday morning, Oct. 24, 2001, at Bortz Healthcare. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday from St. Francis Catholic Church. Friends may call Friday at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. A full obituary will appear in the Friday edition of the Record-Eagle. ALICE J. FETT, 86, of Manistee, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001, at the Manistee County Medical Care Facility. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Manistee. No visitation is to be held. Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Home, P.C. KALKASKA - Lydia Rosella Becker, 97, of Kalkaska, passed away on Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center. Lydia was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Dec. 4, 1903, the daughter of D.C. and Florence (Feigh) Nebro. She married Virgil Robert Becker on Nov. 14, 1926. Lydia worked for F.W. Woolworth Dime Stores in Fort Wayne, Ind., until she retired in December of 1965 and moved to Kalkaska. Lydia was a member of the Kalkaska Church of Christ since Dec. 4, 1969. She loved her family and enjoyed the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lydia is survived by her loving family, daughters, Marjory L. (Arthur) Elkins of Mancelona, and Phyllis J. Birchfield of Kalkaska; grandchildren, Kelly (Ruthann) Birchfield of Mancelona, and Charlene (John) Orman of Kalkaska; and nine great-grandchildren. Lydia was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Robert Becker, on July 2, 1969; one great-grandson, William Mark Birchfield; her sister, Christine Mettert in 1985; and her brother, Louie John Nebro in 1962. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today, Oct. 25, at Wolfe Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, at the Kalkaska Church of Christ with Jeff Badgero officiating. Interment will be on Monday at 2 p.m. at Remington Cemetery in Remington, Ind. Arrangements by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska. TRAVERSE CITY - Elsie M. Abeln, 77, of Traverse City, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, at her home. Elsie was born in Saginaw on March 24, 1924, the daughter of Jacob and Anna Margaret (Weigandt) Fahrenbruch. She married Melvin A. Abeln on Jan. 26, 1952, in Saginaw. Elsie enjoyed cooking, drawing, painting with watercolors, crafts, wreath making and gardening. Elsie is survived by her daughter, Victoria M. (Helmut K.) Abeln-Heidemann, D.V.M. of Columbus, Miss.; two sisters, Esther Bamberger and Eleanor Dvorak, both of Saginaw; one brother, Jacob (Gerry) Fahrenbruch of Prescott; and several nieces and nephews. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Melvin A. Abeln in 1993. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, at the funeral home with the Rev. David Mellor officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes. |
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