Laura E. Michaletz, 89, of Glencoe

Laura Elnora (Ahlbrecht) Michaletz, 89, of Glencoe, died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at her residence.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 25, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe with the Rev. Ronald Mathison officiating. Dawn Wolter was the organist. Congregational hymns were “Abide With Me,” “For All the Saints” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”
Pallbearers were Darroll Engelmann, Gary Ziemer, Mara Michaletz, Anne Michaletz Burgart, John Michaletz and Peter Michaletz.
Interment was in the First Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Glencoe.
Laura Elnora (Ahlbrecht) Michaletz was born Dec. 30, 1924, in Biscay. She was the daughter of Harry and Alta (Todd) Ahlbrecht. She was baptized as a child on June 14, 1934, by the Rev. Haack at her parents’ home, and was confirmed in her faith on May 29, 1947, by the Rev. Bert Streufert at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Bergen Township. She graduated from Hutchinson High School, after which she taught in country schools, among them Heatwole and First Lutheran.
On June 1, 1946, she was married to Vernon Michaletz by the Rev. Happel at Church of Peace in Glencoe. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Jerilyn and Russell, and they made their home on a farm in Helen Township until 1995, when they moved to Glencoe. The couple enjoyed over 53 years of marriage, finding time to enjoy traveling, collaborative handicrafts and spending time at their lake home in Annandale, where they taught their four grandchildren the fine arts of fishing and cabin life. Mr. Michaletz died on May 6, 2000.
Mrs. Michaletz’ pastimes and pursuits spoke to her dedication to her family, faith and friends, whether entertaining her grandchildren with stories about their forefathers, participating in her long-standing monthly couples’ card group, or providing hospitality to friends and neighbors by way of her inspiring cooking. She was a faithful member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, where she was a member of the LWML and church quilters. She also worked at McLeod County Public Health Nursing and was an active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and she cherished the memories and friends, new and old, that she made while giving back to her community.
Mrs. Michaletz’ attention to detail and care was as apparent in the loving retelling of the stories of her youth as it was in her exquisite crocheting, embroidery and quilting. Her narratives connected generations and were a testament to her adept navigation of the significant world changes she saw during her lifetime: as a young teacher, she recalled mornings warming up her one-room schoolhouse with a wood-burning stove, and as a grandmother and great-grandmother, she embraced e-mailing her family with new recipes, developments in her ever-blooming garden, and news of her family and friends. Through her unfaltering memory and persistent investigation, she documented for her family a full and richly annotated history of their ancestors, from England and Germany to Biscay and Lester Prairie, and New York and Michigan to Hutchinson and Glencoe, and her accounts demonstrate her loyalty to both the truth and to the relatives and friends for whom she loved and cared.
Mrs. Michaletz’ love of beauty and life was a magnet for the thankful mirth, abundant flowers and much-loved visitors, and her memorable suppers and meaningful conversations often included heartfelt stories of friends and family now passed. We now remember Laura likewise, and she has left an indelible footprint on all who have appreciated and will appreciate her loving and passionate dedication to history, friendships, faith and family.
She is survived by her children, Jerilyn Ring and Russell (Janice) Michaletz; grandchildren, Mara Michaletz (Peter Ramgren), Anne Michaletz Burgart (Evan), John Michaletz (Katy), and Peter Michaletz; great-grandson, Colin Michaletz; sisters, Etheline Clasen and Adeline Darsow; sister-in-law, Esther Michaletz; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Michaletz; parents, Harry and Alta Ahlbrecht; and sister, Marion Schuette.
Memorials are preferred to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel of Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com [1].