Cecilia Johanna Schafer (Spruit)

Cecilia Johanna Schafer 92, went to be with the Lord March 8, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI on Dec. 1, 1924. Her parents were John and Johanna Spruit, Dutch immigrants. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Sr., in 1990, several siblings, and her son-in-law, Gary Kotrch, in 2012. She attended St. Anthony’s School and graduated from Catholic Central in 1942. She worked for Michigan Bell as a long distance operator for 7 years. She then married Lawrence Schafer in 1948, and became the mother of their 12 children. Cecilia (Spruit) Schafer and her beloved husband, Lawrence Sr. formerly lived on Alpine Ave., Comstock Park for 52 years. Presently she made her home in Grand Rapids with her daughter Rita Gustafson, son-in-law Thomas Gustafson, and their three children. She is survived by: her five sons Lawrence Jr. (Wanda) of Comstock Park, Joseph (Mary) of Downingtown PA, John (Lee) of Norfolk VA, Thomas (Valerie) of Byron Center, Gerard (Stephanie) of Fort Wayne IN; seven daughters Theresa Kotrch of Grand Rapids, Mary (Fred) Cheslek of Rockford, Rita (Thomas) Gustafson of Grand Rapids, Donna Schafer of Rockford, Diane (Richard) Whaley of Ada, Annette (Scott) Weston of Comstock Park, Amy (Joseph) Spielmaker of Kent City MI; 34 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; sister Margaret McCarthy of Cocoa Beach FL, and sister-in-law Wanda Spruit of Grand Rapids. Cecilia served her church well. She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for 69 years. She was a former council member, area representative, school secretary, playground supervisor, choir member, guild member and Eucharistic Minister. She was a daily communicant at Holy Trinity until she moved in with her daughter Rita in 1999. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Church, 1200 Alpine Church Rd NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321, where she will repose one hour prior. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Her family will receive visitors Sunday 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance NW, where a Rosary will be recited Sunday at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Holy Trinity Building Fund will be appreciated.

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Cecilia Johanna Schafer (Spruit)

December 1, 1924 - March 8, 2017