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Ella (Stage) Pierucki, age 94, of Sturgis, dispensed her last bit of wisdom surrounded by countless numbers of family and friends on Monday, June 24, 2024.
Ella was born on September 19, 1929, in the midst of the great depression in the boom town (iron ore was discovered there in the 1870s) of Ironwood, Michigan located in the Upper Peninsula. She was the 4th of seven children born to Henry & Marie (Skeel) Stage. Her father was an Engineer on the Chicago Northwestern Railroad and her mother was the glue that kept the family together. Her childhood was filled with various adventures that violated almost all modern OSHA standards, like jumping from box car to box car, sometimes on moving trains.
She arrived in Sturgis by train in 1946 and her mother and younger siblings soon followed. In 1949 Ella then met a young WWII G.I., Carl Pierucki, who she described in her journals as “dapper, handsome, and debonaire.” Ella and Carl wed on November 25, 1950, at Holy Angels Church in Sturgis. Early on in their marriage they were faced with the herculean task of raising a newborn, and her 3 teenage brothers after the death of her mother in 1955. She and Carl were 25 and 27 years old. They also raised their family of Brad, Brian, Bob, and Jane in Elaine Manor where she forged a strong friendship with Marie Blouin. Ella started working at Sturgis Hospital in the 1950’s which is where she found purpose, friends, and her calling in improving the patient experience in any way she could. She held a variety of titles including: Nurse’s Aide, Patient Care Aid, Ward Clerk, Staffing Secretary, Quality Assurance Review Coordinator, and retiring as the Director of Quality Assurance in charge of Medical Records in 1985. All of this came from someone who was not able to initially finish high school due to needing to support her family. She did, however, graduate with honors with a high school diploma in 1972.
After retiring, Ella served on the Sturgis Hospital Board of Directors, managed the Senior Center, worked with Dr. Weisheit, volunteered with hospice for 10 years and the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Kalamazoo. She was a member of Holy Angels Parish. Ella was on a spiritual journey her whole life which led her to becoming a Reiki Master where she was able to share her wisdom and light with many people. Ella had a deep connection with everyone she met, from the Mailman to the Micrographic Dermatologic Surgeon. She was a special mentor to many and lived by the idea that there are three constants in life: change, choice, and principle. She would often remind you that the 11th commandment is thou shalt change because if you live by the 10 commandments, you cannot help but to change.
She was preceded in death by her brother Robert (1928), her sister Mabel Stage (1931), her father Henry Stage (1954), mother Marie Stage (1955). Her husband Carl (2006), her brothers Michael Stage (1998), Dr. James Stage (2013), and Jon Stage (2018), her sons Brian (2020) and Bradley (2021), and her sister-in-law Agnes (James) Stage (2024).
She is survived by her brother Peter (Andrea) Stage, sister-in-law Gwen (Jon) Stage, daughter Jane (Rodney) Stahl, son Bob (Dawn) Pierucki, nephews Mitchel (Krista) Stage, Jon (Gail) Stage, Greg Stage, David (Suzanne) Stage, nieces Laurie (Tom) Cliburn, Michelle (Chad) Reimer, granddaughters Haley (Steve) Palmer, Holly (Sam) Fittro, grandsons Raymond (Holly) Pierucki, Travis (Natasha) Stahl, Taylor (Ashley) Stahl, Dr. Terrence Stahl and fiancé Jaylen Taylor, Tyler Stahl and partner Nicole Deacon, and Tory Stahl, and 17 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm, a Rosary service will be at 8:00 pm at Rosenberg Chapel on Wednesday, June 26 at 807 E. Chicago Rd. in Sturgis. A mass will be held at Holy Angels church in Sturgis on Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 am. Her dear friend, the Rev. Father Richard Altine will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery. In accordance with Ella’s wishes, cremation has taken place. She wanted a big party afterwards, so we will be having one on Thursday after the graveside committal at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to Three Rivers Health Hospice, 711 S. Health Parkway, Three Rivers, MI 49093 If you didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to Ella she wants you all to know that she went peacefully and will always be with you.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
