Leona K. Teutsch

Leona Katherine Teutsch, age 102, of Richland, passed away peacefully December 9, 2016 at Borgess Gardens in Kalamazoo. Born June 7, 1914, one of 12 children of Center Line farmer and civic leader Edward J. Schoenherr and Cecilia A. Baumgartner Schoenherr, Leona attended St. Clement's Church and Schools in Center Line. She married August P. Teutsch in 1943 and in 1947 they moved to Gull Lake where they raised their 4 children until Gus's death in January, 1965.

Leona worked for 30 years as Office Manager/Account ant at Light's Landscaping in Richland, retiring at age 75, and then volunteered at Richland Community
Library until age 85. She continued enjoying life in her Richland apartment, entertaining family, playing cards with her friends at the Richland Community Center, reading her Kindle and cheering on the Tigers and other favorite sports teams. She was one of the earliest parishioners of St. Ann Catholic Church, Gull Lake, est. 1958, and the oldest.

From WWI to this year's unprecedented election, Leona's life spanned more than a century of fascinating and challenging events in the history of her country and in her own life. She enriched the lives of the many people whose path she crossed; but because of the length and scope of her time on earth, she also mourned an incredible number of relatives and friends, both old and more recent, and faced the inevitable betrayal of a body which had long been strong and healthy. Throughout her life she set an example of fortitude and stoicism, relying on her unwavering faith and an unquenchable zest for life.

Leona is greatly missed by children, Carol L. (Gray) Fischer of Cheboygan, Philip E. (Barbara) Teutsch of Richland, and Mary A. (Ned)Pennington of Rathdrum ID; special nephew and niece, Dr. Roger and Patricia Schoenherr of Cadillac; grandchildren Eric (Liz) Betteridge, Ann Betteridge Gore, Tracy (Ted) Alberta, D. Christopher (Pam) Webert, Joanna (Johnathan) Noland, Jennifer (Jeff) Yates, Kristin (Dan) Warren, Sarrah (Jeremy) Riddle, Kevin (Robin) Webert, Laura (Kyley) Moore-Turner, and Mary R. Teutsch; 23 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, daughter Jean Ann Betteridge, 6 brothers, 5 sisters and numerous nephews and nieces.

A Memorial Mass to celebrate Leona's life will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at the St. Ann Catholic Church 12648 East D. Avenue, Augusta, MI 49012. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. The family will continue the celebration of Leona's life with a light luncheon in the church social hall immediately following Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Richland Community Library 8951 Park St, Richland, MI 49083 or the Multiple Sclerosis Society - Michigan Chapter 21311 Civic Center Drive Southfield, MI 48076. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.