Alwine and I met in 1976 at Hughes Plastics (that was the name at that time) in St. Joseph, Michigan. Alwine was a strong person but very gentle, she was a mentor to me, because I was 18 years of age, just graduated from High School in Hayti, Missouri. Alwine was always caring about others. Never showed bias toward race, color, gender, I could go on and on. I remember her inviting me to their home (William her late husband)

Alwine and I met in 1976 at Hughes Plastics (that was the name at that time) in St. Joseph, Michigan. Alwine was a strong person but very gentle, she was a mentor to me, because I was 18 years of age, just graduated from High School in Hayti, Missouri. Alwine was always caring about others. Never showed bias toward race, color, gender, I could go on and on. I remember her inviting me to their home (William her late husband) and making homemade Zucchini Bread with honey. I remember the massages she gave with her strong hands. I remember the green Volkswagen (stick shift) she drove to pick me up for work; I remember her being there when I had my first and only child. There are so many more memories, but I just wanted to share a few. Alwine always put God first in her life and was loved by many. I'm sharing a few photos of some of our memories. You all are in our prayers. Alwine will be missed. God Bless. Rose.

Tante Alwine was my husband Bernd's Aunt. She was a very generous Lady full
of life. She lived just around the block from us and would visit often while we still lived in her neighborhood. Over the years she enjoyed seeing our 3 sons grow up. She was very fond of our 2nd son, Björn, since he was born the same night her husband William Fitz died.

I still remember her inviting us to her house for a lavish dinner with

Tante Alwine was my husband Bernd's Aunt. She was a very generous Lady full
of life. She lived just around the block from us and would visit often while we still lived in her neighborhood. Over the years she enjoyed seeing our 3 sons grow up. She was very fond of our 2nd son, Björn, since he was born the same night her husband William Fitz died.

I still remember her inviting us to her house for a lavish dinner with several kinds of meats, vegetables and desserts. I was her way of making you feel welcome.

At every Fitz Family Get-together she would make the most fantastic fruit salads I had ever seen and tasted in my life. Tante Alwine was always ready to help and serve others. One of the things she liked to do was to give you a good
back massage, when she felt you needed one. Her hands were incredibly strong
from all the work she did day in and day out. Sometimes I thought, she should
have become a massage therapist.

Alwine, you are living the "real" life now, which we have not started yet. We will see you some day again!

Marie-Anne Krebs

Aunt Alwine was such a strong character from my childhood. She would frequently come out to our farm and was filled with stories and always had an attitude of self confidence and self determination that I admired. She was a role model of female independence and yet was kind and generous to others way beyond normal expectations. I still have some of the costume jewelry pieces that she gave to me, just one summer day out of the blue.

I

Aunt Alwine was such a strong character from my childhood. She would frequently come out to our farm and was filled with stories and always had an attitude of self confidence and self determination that I admired. She was a role model of female independence and yet was kind and generous to others way beyond normal expectations. I still have some of the costume jewelry pieces that she gave to me, just one summer day out of the blue.

I will remember her huge generous heart, her quick wit and the way she would just toss her head back and laugh. I was inspired by her commitment to Jesus, and I well remember the Sunday when she invited me to lead an adult Bible Study at her church. It was the first time that I had ever led a study for adults. It went very well, and it gave me confidence in my leadership abilities in the church.

Alwine is now at peace, and her memories are now back. I look forward to the day when I will see her again, and we will talk and laugh and tell stories again. May God give us comfort as we miss her, and strength us in our walk of faith.