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Mary Lou Falkenstein, age 88, a lifelong Sturgis resident passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Thurston Woods Villa.
She was born July 25, 1935 at Sturgis Hospital to the late Ruby (Woods) and Don Kline.
Mary graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1953. She graduated from Glen Oaks Community College in 1984 with an Associates Degree in the Arts and also took several audited art and music classes.
On July 2, 1954 she married Carl E. Falkenstein at the Sturgis Bible Chapel. He passed away April 13, 1998.
She had been employed by the Sturgis Training Center for Special needs students, co-owner of The Knit-Wit Yarn Shop, and Director of Arts at the ISD Pathfinder Center until her retirement in 1997.
She enjoyed traveling and visited several states in the USA, Canada, and Nova Scottia, Romania Mission Trip, and to Wiesloch Germany with the Sister City Program, and several cruises with ports of call in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Mary was a member of the Board and President of the Girl Scouts, a 4-H leader, Band & Orchestra Parents Board President and chaperone on the Virginia Beach trips in 1971-72. ALL organization for Senior Citizens as president, Red Hat Society member, Secretary of the Sturgis Senior Center Board, Sturgis Council of the Arts, Auditorium Board, Active with the Sturgis Civic Players where she had active parts in several plays. Member SIMA and had been very active at the Trinity Lutheran Church as Bell Choir Director and other things. Very proud to have been a member of the Sturgis Wind Symphony pretty much since High School, and served 4 ½ years on the Glen Oaks Board of Trustees.
Mary received the Sturgis Exchange Club Community Volunteer Award in 2002, Glen Oaks Fellow Award 2006, Open Door Gallery Peoples Choice Award 2008, Sturgis Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds, and Sturgis Citizen of the year in 2010.
She enjoyed Knitting, crocheting, painting, gardening, and puzzles.
She is survived by a daughter: Carla (Jack) Rupert of Bushnell, FL; a brother: Jim Kline of Kalamazoo, grandsons: Mike (Kate) Rupert and Mark Rupert; great-grandchildren: Anna, Mike, Lilly, and Sheriff; cousins: Jeff (Ann) Kline and Jody Fuller; nieces, nephews, and second family of Susie, Janet, Tom and Bob Kline all in California.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter: Linda Lunares, sister-in-law: Carolyn Kline, auntie Sis and several uncles including: Bob Kline.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place. A service celebrating the life of Mary Lou Falkenstein will be held at a later date this summer. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis and her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
