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April 5, 2016

Gwendolyn E. Egeler



Gwendolyn E. Egeler

Died April 2, 2016



LAKE LEELANAU – Gwendolyn Eleanor Egeler, 91, of Lake Leelanau, died peacefully Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Traverse Victorian Senior Living surrounded by her family.  Gwen was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother.



Gwen was born on January 27, 1925 in Leland, to Henry and Amelia (Nelson) Steffens.



On March 1, 1947 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Leland, she married Raymond Garthe who preceded her in death on February 15, 1958.  After Ray’s passing, she and her five children moved back to Leland. On September 24, 1960, also at Immanuel Lutheran Church, she married Marvin Carl Egeler who preceded her in death on October 5, 2013.



Gwen had many talents from baking to knitting, cross stitch, and plastic canvas creations.  All of her children’s homes are blessed with her amazing crafts; and her grandchildren loved her fabulous Christmas cookies



She enjoyed feeding and watching the birds at her feeders, taking walks, gardening in which she would feed her family with her canned goods.  Gwen was a waitress and cook at the Bluebird in Leland for many years and after retiring from there she worked cleaning cottages and taking care of an elderly couple in Leland.



She and Marvin enjoyed visiting friends in the Upper Peninsula and their trips to Florida to spend time with relatives and friends.



Gwen is survived by two sons, Glenn (Penny) Garthe of Lake Leelanau and Carl (Shirley) Garthe of Lake Leelanau; five daughters, Peggy (Ken) Roush of Maple City, Sharon (Bob) Howard of Lake Leelanau, Wendy (Jim) VerSnyder of Lake Leelanau, Tina (Lynn) Belanger of Lake Leelanau, and Cynthia (Roger) Cross of Traverse City; 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.



In addition to her husbands, Gwen was preceded in death by her brothers, Hank Steffens and Louis Steffens; sisters, Helen Westol and Marilyn Stallman.



The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 3 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Leland, with visitation beginning one hour prior.  Burial will be at East Leland Cemetery.  Rev. Joshua LaFeve will officiate.



Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy., Traverse City, MI 49686 and/or to Immanuel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 436, Leland, MI 49654 and/or to the Victorian Inn, 461 Munson Ave., Traverse City, MI 49686.



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