Nellie P. Ladewski

Angela (Nellie) Ladewski died peacefully early on the morning of October 8, 2009, surrounded by her three sons. She is at rest now, safe in God’s loving care. Angela was born on November 24, 1920, to John and Anna Peculaitis, Lithuanian immigrants. Growing up in the ethnic neighborhoods of Cleveland, Flint and South Bend, she spoke not only Lithuanian and English, but Polish, Hungarian and Yiddish. She was always proud of her Lithuanian heritage. She married Bernard F. Ladewski, in 1944, and the couple moved to St. Joseph in 1952. Their forty-three year marriage ended with Bernard’s death in 1987. Angela resided at the Chelsea Retirement Community since 2004. Angela is survived by three sons: Ted (Barbara Gail) of Ann Arbor, Bruce (Barbara Ann) of Lawrence, and Greg Ladewski of Benton Harbor; grandchildren Lisa (David) Whitehead; Sarah (Brett) Crawford; Katie Ladewski, and Rebecca (David Couling) Ladewski; Jon and Jacalyn Odden, and their mother, Anne Seymour Odden. Nellie was overjoyed to hear of the expected February arrival of her first great-grandchild. She is also survived by her beloved sister and brother, Helen Nyerges and Victor Stonevic, and cousins, nieces and nephews across the country. She loved them well. Angela overcame early hardships and persevered through hard times. She embodied and passed along the values that defined the Greatest Generation: education, thrift, honesty, hard work, and defending the underdog. Family was always the center of Angela’s life: she was unconditional in her love, and fierce in her loyalty. Angela was proud of her grandchildren’s many accomplishments, but even prouder of their character and values. For many years she raised her gorgeous alto voice to God with the St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir. She closely followed politics and world events, and hoped fervently for world peace. She supported environmental, arts and local charitable organizations. Angela also enjoyed dancing, cards, ceramics and collecting depression glass, antiques and other treasures from estate sales. Angela worked most of her adult life, as a comptometer, keypunch operator, bookkeeper and accountant. She retired from Gast Manufacturing in 1985. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Chelsea Retirement Community, the Salvation Army, or the Sarett Nature Center. Visitation will be held at St. Bernard Church in Fairplain at 9 am Saturday, October 17, A Mass of Christian Burial begins at 10 am, followed by a graveside service. A reception for friends and family will be held at the Odden home in Higman Park. The funeral arrangements are with Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.