Elizabeth Schleef, Died December 25, 2018

Elizabeth Schleef

Died December 25, 2018

OMENA – Elizabeth Schleef, 96, of Omena, passed away December 25, 2018 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Elizabeth was born Oct. 7, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio the daughter of Thomas and Helen (Corboy) Morgan.  On April 14, 1956 she married Daniel John Schleef who preceded her in death on Nov. 26, 2014.

Mom grew up in the small town of Winchester, Ohio.  She attended Miami University of Ohio where she was awarded a BS in Secretarial Science in June, 1945.  After college she worked at Cincinnati Bell telephone company, where she developed her characteristic communication skills and made life-long friends.  Mom always had a unique flair for engaging with people and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Through her friends at Bell telephone, Mom was introduced to the peace and beauty of Leelanau County.  As a family we spent wonderful summer vacations there, and Mom and Dad enjoyed their retirement years in Omena.

Mom’s primary vocation was as a homemaker.  While she disliked the tedium of housework, she had a passion for good food, company, music, and her beloved West Highland White terriers.  Animals, particularly dogs, were one of the great loves of her life.  She enjoyed exploring new interests like vegetarian cooking, and along with Dad was a regular patron of the Cincinnati Symphony.

After my sister and I started college, she accepted a part-time job with the Hamilton County Library- a new experience that got her out of the house and meeting new people.  Mom was a member of Lutheran churches in Cincinnati and in Leelanau County, where she enjoyed singing in choirs.

Above all, Mom was fiercely devoted to her husband and two daughters.  She was always interested in a nice lunch, some clothes shopping, or watching a favorite movie- with the primary goal of spending time together.  To be her daughter was to know you were cherished.  After we lost Dad in 2014 we were comforted in our grief by the time the three of us spent together- even if just laughing at favorite episodes of the Andy Griffith Show.

In later years Mom lost some of her mental acuity, but never her ability to engage and amuse.  In recent weeks we have shared many fond memories with the magnificent caregivers who made her final years as comfortable and enjoyable as they could possibly be.

Mom is, and will continue to be, desperately missed.

Elizabeth is survived by her two daughters, Katy Schleef and son-in-law John Hadder of Reno, Nevada and Joan Schleef of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan; and two siblings, Richard (Dorothy) Wenrick and Barbara (Pete) Williamson.

Private graveside services will be held in Omena Hillcrest Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to ShareCare of Leelanau, Inc. (sharecareleelanau.org/) or to MSU Companion Animal Fund, c/o Michigan Animal Health Foundation, 2144 Commons Parkway, Okemos, MI 48864.

  

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