Rebecca A. Stanchfield
Died Nov. 18, 2013
LAKE LEELANAU –
Rebecca Ann Stanchfield, 79, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Monday, Nov. 18,
2013 at Munson Hospice House.
Rebecca was born on June 15, 1934 on the
family farm in East Leland, the youngest child of Samuel and Mary (Esch)
Weiss. On Aug. 15, 1952 she married the
first love of her life Merle Bredehoeft who preceded her in death on June 6,
1995. On August 30, 1997 she joyfully
married the second love of her life Norman Stanchfield, who survives.Becky felt blessed that she was able to find love twice in her life, first with Merle and later with Norman. She took her job as homemaker seriously and diligently worked to provide a loving, happy home not just for her husbands and children but also for her many grandchildren. As the “Cookie Queen” of Leelanau County, there was rarely a time that a grandchild came to visit that their favorite cookie wasn’t available fresh from the oven.
Becky was very active in the church where she was baptized, confirmed and twice married. She loved to sing and was a long time member of the Immanuel Lutheran Choir. She was President of Women in Mission at Immanuel and could be found every Tuesday morning at the church talking with her friends, making quilts for World Relief and teasing her Pastor.
Becky will be missed for her beautiful smile, her teasing, fun filled nature and a wry sense of humor that often caught those that didn’t know her off guard.
In addition to her husband, Norman, Rebecca is survived by her children, Sandra (Roger) Thomas, Michael (Carol Peterson) Bredehoeft, Jeffrey (Cheryl) Bredehoeft, Debra (Anthony) Radjenovich; step-children, Dale (Toshiko) Stanchfield, Norman (Teri Fowler) Stanchfield Jr., William Stanchfield, and Susan (Don) Willecke; 16 grandchildren; 11.5 great-grandchildren; siblings, Susan Brassow, R. Kenneth (Betty) Weiss, and Ardath Davis.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Rupert Weiss, Dorothy Brown, Eunice Kahrs, Edward Weiss, and Lois Duhm.
There will be a gathering of those wishing to share in the celebration of Becky’s life on the family farm at 1691 N. Eagle Hwy, Lake Leelanau, MI on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Leland. Rev. Lawrence K. Matro will officiate. Private family burial will be held at East Leland Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, c/o Organ Fund, P.O. Box 436, Leland, MI 49654 and/or to Leukemia Lymphoma Society of MI, 4065 Saladin Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 and/or Munson Hospice House 1105 Sixth St. Traverse City, MI 49684.
Please share memories with Rebecca’s family at their online obituary at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.
Grandma Becky was my adopted grandma when my stepfather Jeff Bredhehoeft married my mother (Cheryl) in 2001. I have many wonderful memories of visiting the farm and of her and Norm coming to visit us in Phoenix that I will always cherish. She was truly an amazing person and had such a great sense of humor. I wish we could be there to celebrate her life with everyone on the farm. We send our love from Phoenix.
ReplyDeleteNot many know of Becky's incredible apple picking skills. She was one fast monkey in the trees!
ReplyDeleteAnd her raised glazed donuts were out of this world.
And then there's her family. Her skills at childrearing were also top notch. ALL good county folks. I am so privileged to have been able to call them friends. Prayers, blessings and love to all.
I send my most sincere condolences to Becky's family -- the Bredehoefts and the Stanchfields. Becky and Merle were wonderful supporters of Leland School during the years that their children attended, and I taught there. We knew that we could always count on their presence at any function, and assistance in any need. They were caring parents who raised four talented and accomplished daughters and sons. I have fond memories of Sandy singing her way through high school, Mike in journalism class, Jeff as the little brother, and Debbie ... not only in school but working along with us during several years at Leelanau Fruit Co. Many connections over the years, thanks to Becky. Her friendly generous nature was evident in everything she did. We even had a number of encounters over the past couple years with her and Norman, along with their dear friends the Sparks, at the Cedar Rustic Inn for Sunday breakfasts! It was always fun to chat for a bit and catch up about the "kids" (now almost middle-age adults!) and grandkids.She will be missed in many ways, by many many people. May she now rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord. I will keep all of you in my prayers. (I would have loved to have attended the home visitation or funeral, but I was tied up with grandchildren duty due to the Leland volleyball tournament run!)
ReplyDeleteFondly with many happy memories,
Judy LaCross