Attached is a picture of Sue Oldewurtel. She was very proud of the fact that she was Governor of District Seven from 1990-1992. She was also very active in many fundraisers and her passion was the Membership Committee. More specific details of all of her accomplishments will follow.
Thank you for remembering her, and we will send a full obituary to you when available (obituary is attached at bottom).
Keith Oldewurtel (son)
7822
Sudbury Lane SE
Ada,
Mi 49301
Rae Phillips (daughter)
314
Fenway Terrace
Manitowoc, Wi 54220
I am very sad to send news that Virginia (Sue) Oldewurtel passed away Saturday, April 3, 2010 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, MO after a brief battle with cancer. She was spending several months visiting with her sister at the time of her death.
Sue was Governor of District Seven from 1990-1992 and a member of Altrusa of International, Inc. of Escanaba, MI since August 1975 and present Chairperson of our Membership Committee.
Sue will be greatly missed by our sister Altrusans.
Dannielle
Herbert
Co-Chair Membership Committee
Escanaba, MI 49829
Please keep the family and club in your prayers.
Mom joined the club in Escanaba when my sister and I were in high school over 35 years ago so it's been a part of all of our lives for a long time. We are proud of her years providing community service through Altrusa.
We appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers of Altrusans that knew Mom. She has many Altrusa friends from around the Midwest in her address book .
Regards,
Keith
In the Escanaba Daily Press
ESCANABA - Virginia (Sue) Ann Oldewurtel, 79, of Escanaba, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, April 3, 2010, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. Sue was staying the winter in Kansas City with her sister, Linda Clowser. Linda cared lovingly for Sue during her brief battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fredrick E. Oldewurtel in 2008.
Sue will be greatly missed by her children, Rae (Kelly) Phillips of Manitowoc, Wis.; son, F. Keith (Kerry) Oldewurtel of Ada, Mich.; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; siblings; and nieces and nephews.
Sue was born in Otis, Colorado and was the second oldest in a family of 12 children. Surviving siblings are Polly Fritchle, Colorado; Linda Clowser, Missouri; Dale Clowser, Missouri; and Gail Clowser, Colorado.
When Sue was in the second grade, her family moved to a farm in Idaho. "Everyone worked (on the farm)," said Sue. "Everyone was happy. We didn't know any better!"
Sue helped the family by learning to bake delicious cakes, desserts and pies. Collecting recipes, cooking, and baking became a life-long passion for her. The grandkids looked forward to every Christmas when Sue would make her signature Chex Mix, Puppy Chow and numerous other treats for them. Last Christmas Sue gave each grandkid a handmade scrapbook containing her handwritten treasured, secret recipes.
After graduating from high school, Sue enlisted in the U.S. Navy (WAVES) where she met Fredrick E. Oldewurtel, a Quartermaster First Class in the U.S. Navy. The couple wed on March 5, 1955. Sue, Fred and their children, Rae and Keith lived in Cuba, Norfolk, Va., Wausau, Wis. and San Diego, Calif., finally settling in Escanaba in 1969.
In Escanaba, Sue was employed by the Delta County Probate Court until her retirement.
Fred and Sue enjoyed travelling with her sisters Emma, Polly and Linda and visiting relatives in Kansas City and Colorado. Sightseeing and shopping were the goals of the sisters while Fred eagerly chauffeured them and joined them at restaurants. Fred and Sue loved to dine out and were welcome patrons at many local Escanaba restaurants.
Volunteerism and giving back to the community were very important to Sue. She served on the Board of Directors for the Delta County Cancer Alliance Inc. from 1995 to 2000 and was President in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Sue was also very active in the Altrusa Club of Escanaba. She joined the club in 1975, served on numerous committees and worked diligently on fund raising events. Her passion was the Membership Committee of which she was the current Chairperson. She was especially proud of being elected Governor of District Seven, Altrusa International from 1990 to 1992.
Sue was a wonderful, caring and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was always there when you needed her. Her grandchildren spent many special times with her playing games and cards, taking trips in the big white van, swimming in the backyard pool and having movie nights and "Jammie" days. She made Christmas especially memorable by providing piles of presents, unbelievable amounts of food and endless bowls of candy.
Missing her greatly and loving her always are her granddaughters, Nicole Druml, California, Holly Planas, Texas, April Langteau, Georgia, Kimber Andress, Wisconsin, Kate Oldewurtel, Michigan; grandson, Jackson Oldewurtel, Michigan; and great-grandchildren Gavin and Caden Langteau, Georgia and Dawn Destache, California.
Sue's family will receive friends to remember her life from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010, at Allo Funeral Home in Escanaba.
Sue was passionate about raising funds for the Altrusa Club's Bay College Scholarship Fund. Memorial contributions may be made to the Altrusa Club of Escanaba, P.O. Box 921, Escanaba, MI 49829.
The Allo Funeral Home 400 S. 10th Street Escanaba, MI 49829 is assisting the Oldewurtel family with arrangements.
Keith
Oldewurtel
fkoldewurtel@comcast.net