Phyllis Anne Schleder
15 Post Condolences
Phyllis Anne Schleder, 84, of Ithaca died September 26, 2021. Born in St. Johns Michigan to Philip and Anne Becker, she was a life- long resident of Gratiot County. She was a 1955 graduate of Ithaca High School, and from there she attended Bronson School of Nursing where she gained her Registered Nursing diploma. Later in life, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Ferris State University.
She was employed as a registered nurse in various healthcare settings, including at Gratiot Community Hospital, Mid-Michigan District Health Department, and Michigan Masonic Home. She was a strong advocate of natural childbirth and infant nutrition through breastfeeding. She took on leadership roles to promote these causes within the La Leche League, as well as other groups. She was involved with the Senior Activity Building in Ithaca for several years.
Phyllis was a dedicated member of the Ithaca First United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the choir and enjoyed the hospitality ministry. She was involved in numerous Christian activities throughout her entire life. She also evangelized for her Lord and Savior through Christan summer camps and foreign missions.
Phyllis was actively involved with the Senior Center in Ithaca, and well known for her “bread pudding mission.” She frequently treated the Seniors and other community shut-ins with this perfectly baked treat. She enjoyed visiting and feeding friends who were not able to attend social activities.
She was accepting and loving to all people brought into her family, church, and workplace, even those who had different thoughts or values than her own. She was an avid supporter of her children, and later her grandchildren. She insisted on not only being present at their activities, but actively participated in anything possible. She also provided help whenever a need arose. She and her husband Dick provided an admirable example of a marriage, through their willingness to sacrifice personal wants and desires for the better good of both their relationship, and their children.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother Phillip and Anne Becker, her brother Eugene Becker, and her sister Bonnie Daniel.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years Richard “Dick” Schleder of Ithaca, her sister Patricia “Sue” Holdeman of Elwood, Indiana, her daughter Joelle (Ken) Gibson of Ithaca, and three sons, Scott (Filipa) Schleder of Jesup, Georgia, John (Elisa) Schleder of Port Huron, and Phillip Schleder of Ithaca. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Todd Schleder (Rose), Kara Grech (Kyle), Nichole Urdzela (Zack), Josh Newville (Ashley), Noelle Schleder (Jeremy), Daniel Schleder, Kaitlyn Stapleton (Creed), Caleb Schleder, Richard Schleder (Rebecca), Jenah Schleder (Felicia), Tyler Gibson (Alyssa), Jace Schleder, and Alan Schleder and 4 great grandchildren: Gabrielle Schleder, Bronson Grech, Shepherd Gibson, and Blaine Grech.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Ithaca First United Methodist Church. A funeral service is set for Saturday, October 2, at 11:00 am at the Ithaca First United Methodist Church. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Ithaca Senior Activity Building, 1011 E. North St., Ithaca, MI 48847 or the Ithaca Food Pantry, 218 E. Newark St., Ithaca, MI 48847.
Barden Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.
Reader Comments (15)
Wishing you all the comfort of knowing that others are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers today and in the many days ahead. We at the Senior Activity Building are deeply saddened by this loss that we share with you, her beloved family.
We appreciated her love and care for each Senior, especially when expressed through her famous Bread Pudding! A Saturday Potluck was never ready to begin until she came in with her dish of Pudding that she had just taken out of her oven. May you find peace and joy in the memories that keep popping up whenever and wherever you gather together as family. With hugs,
Jo Jones and all the Seniors at the Senior Activity Building
let you know that our thoughts are with you. Take care