Ethel M. Priefer
May 16th, 1923 - June 14th, 2022
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Ethel's Obituary
Ethel M. Priefer, 99, of Stevensville, passed away, Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Chris Noffke officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Ethel’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Ethel’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ethel was born May 16, 1923 in Berrien Springs to Albert & Emma (Kettelhut) Hackbart. On August 16, 1941 she married Joel Priefer. Ethel spent her entire working career with Whirlpool Corporation, where she retired from. She & Joel enjoyed square-dancing with their square-dancing group. After his passing in 1969, she met her long-time companion Grant Smith, and they enjoyed going to dances together, especially polka dances. Ethel enjoyed her numerous varieties of pet birds. Ethel cherished the time spent with family and friends, whether it was just visiting or going out to eat. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ethel is survived by two nieces-Barbara (Jack) Van Steinvoorn of Grand Rapids & Harriet Hackbart of St. Joseph, who also devoted herself to Ethel as her caregiver; one great-nephew & three great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joel, her brother Elmer (Henrietta) Hackbart, her sister Ella (Gus) Schultz, and her long-time companion Grant Smith.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Chris Noffke officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Ethel’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Ethel’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ethel was born May 16, 1923 in Berrien Springs to Albert & Emma (Kettelhut) Hackbart. On August 16, 1941 she married Joel Priefer. Ethel spent her entire working career with Whirlpool Corporation, where she retired from. She & Joel enjoyed square-dancing with their square-dancing group. After his passing in 1969, she met her long-time companion Grant Smith, and they enjoyed going to dances together, especially polka dances. Ethel enjoyed her numerous varieties of pet birds. Ethel cherished the time spent with family and friends, whether it was just visiting or going out to eat. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ethel is survived by two nieces-Barbara (Jack) Van Steinvoorn of Grand Rapids & Harriet Hackbart of St. Joseph, who also devoted herself to Ethel as her caregiver; one great-nephew & three great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joel, her brother Elmer (Henrietta) Hackbart, her sister Ella (Gus) Schultz, and her long-time companion Grant Smith.
Service Details
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